Emotional Intelligence and Acculturation to the United States: Interactions on the Perceived Social Consequences of Smoking in Early Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 211983
• Journal: Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 11 Dated: 2005 Pages: 1697-1706
• Author(s): Dennis R. Trinidad; Jennifer B. Unger; Chih-Ping Chou; C. Anderson Johnson
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored whether emotional intelligence (EI) serves as a protective factor against adolescent smoking and smoking risk factors, particularly acculturation to the United States.

Abstract

Research has indicated that high EI is associated with decreased adolescent health risk behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol use. Research has also indicated that acculturation to the United States is associated with greater risk for adolescent smoking. The current study examined whether high EI may protect against the adolescent smoking risk factor of high acculturation to the United States. Participants were 416 sixth-graders of different ethnicities from public middle schools in Los Angeles who completed surveys measuring smoking-related risk factors, EI, acculturation, and perceived social consequences of smoking. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that for those who were more acculturated to United States mainstream culture, having a high EI contributed to the perception of greater negative social consequences associated with smoking. The findings suggest that it may be beneficial to add novel EI-enhancing components to prevention programs. Table, glossary, references