The Role of Parental Involvement in Cigarette Smoking among Adolescents in Nepal

Limited studies have examined the role of a parent's involvement in their child's daily life as it relates to cigarette smoking among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We examined the role of parental involvement with current smoking among 6,105 adolescents using a nationally representative sample from the 2015- 2016 Global School-based Students Health Survey in Nepal. Using the adolescents' perceptions of daily parental involvement, a composite variable was created to include parents (a) checking to see if the child's homework was done, (b) understanding the child's problems and worries, and (c) knowing what the child was doing with their free time. Our analysis utilized a multiple logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) accounting for significant covariates. Overall, an increase in parental involvement was associated with a 15% less (aOR = 0.86) likelihood of their child smoking. Additionally, being 15 years or older (aOR =1.55), being bullied (aOR =1.72), drinking alcohol (aOR =20.63), and having missed school without permission (aOR =2.29) were all associated with cigarette smoking. Further, girls were almost 70% less (aOR = 0.33) likely to be cigarette smokers than boys. Future longitudinal studies should examine parental involvement as a protective factor against cigarette smoking.