Predicting Smoking among Adolescents: Examining the Role of Smoking Self-Identity in the Theory of Planned Behavior

Adolescence is the key period for smoking initiation، and identifying predictors of smoking is critical to tobacco control programs. This study tested the role of smoking self-identity in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to predict the adolescents'' smoking behavior. The data were derived from a cross sectional study among 250 male high school students (mean age of 16. 21 ± 1. 45) at the Zarandieh، Iran. A multiple-stage randomized sampling protocol was used. The participants completed an anonymous، voluntary، self-report questionnaire designed based on TPB model and smoking self-identity. Data were analyzed by SPSS16، and Lisrel8. 8 software. The results indicated that the original version of TPB، has a better fitness (AIC = 31. 87، CAIC = 95. 57، ECVI = 0. 088) compared to the TPB developed by the smoking self-identity (AIC = 54. 42، CAIC = 176. 77، ECVI = 0. 15). The TPB constructs with smoking self-identity accounted for 52% of intention and 37% of smoking behavior variance. The TPB model covered 52% of intention and 35% of smoking behavior variance. The findings did not provide empirical support to the idea that the TPB might benefit from being extended with self-identity in predicting intentions and behavior. In addition، the results indicated that PBC play a more crucial role than the other TPB components in intentions to try smoking. Indeed PBC should be considered when developing tailored interventions for the prevention of smoking among adolescents.