Developmental influences of attitudes and beliefs on adolescents' smoking.

This study examined developmental influences of beliefs and attitudes on adolescents' smoking. A national sample (N = 6,900) of adolescents ages 14 to 18 was selected. Data included measures of smoking behavior, beliefs, and attitudes. Although odds ratios show that attitudes and beliefs are predictive of adolescents' smoking status across the ages of 14 to 18 years, no systematic change of the prediction is evident, which contrasts with the psychological developmental model.