Female Smokers in High School

¶ … Female Smokers in High School and Female Smokers in College

Smoking is by far one of the greatest causes of death of people in developed countries, especially among teenagers. In addition it is well-known that when an individual starts smoking at an early age they are less likely to give the addictive habit up later on. A corollary to this is that fact that teenagers who smoke on a regular basis are more likely to be regular alcohol consumers as well. The reasons for teen smoking are not new to medical care givers and generally encompass the following reasons: peer pressure, cigarette advertising, imitating parents, boredom, need to experiment, and self-image.

Addiction to smoking is not only physical but psychological as well. The majority of smokers find it extremely difficult to stop smoking and do not succeed. Smokers become physically addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette, which causes real withdrawal symptoms when the individual attempts to quit or cut down. The psychological symptoms are identified as the habit formed by smoking. Not only are teenagers in need of effective educational programs outlining the severe negative effects of smoking but supportive programs are needed as well. However, to determine the effectiveness of support programs one must determine first whether or not there is a relationship teenage smoking in high school and college students who smoke.

Research Question: As the topic of teenage smoking is abundantly large the proposed research investigation will be limited to female high school smokers and college level female smokers. The topic of the present research proposal is whether or not a relationship can be established between female high school students who smoke and female college students who smoke.

Hypothesis: No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level.

Second Level Hypothesis:

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to socio-economic class.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to parents who currently smoke.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to grade point average.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to involved sports activity.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to birth order.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to college major.

No statistically significant relationship or correlation will exist between high school female smokers and college female smokers at the.05 confidence level with respect to use of alcohol.

Sample: a random sample of 50 high school female smokers and 59 college female smokers will comprise the participant sample that will be measured. The dependent variable will be the amount of cigarette smoking.