Predicting Adolescents' Smoking Behavior Using Health Belief Model

This study was conducted to explain adolescents' smoking behavior using Health Belief Model. A cross-sectional study design was used to analyze characteristics and factors that influence smoking behavior among Korean adolescents. A total of 1.535 adolescents attending 21 high schools in one district of Seoul participated in the study. The results indicated that perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers were significant in predicting smoking behavior of adolescents. Likewise, the degree of juvenile delinquency, gender, the amount of pocket money, and having smoking parent(s) and friend(s) significantly affect smoking behavior of adolescents. Based on the study results, it is recommended to incorporate HBM components in smoking cessation programs, and to include parents and friends in smoking prevention and cessation programs for high school students in Korea.