Gene-Environment Transactions between Peer Tobacco Use, Parental Supervision, and Chinese Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Initiation

• Author / Creator

  Meyer, Zachary

• Following 602 Chinese twin pairs (52% female) from early to middle adolescence at two time points (Mage = 12 and 15), this study examined gene-environment interplay between perceived parental supervision, peer tobacco use, and adolescent cigarette smoking initiation. From early to middle adolescence, genetic influences on cigarette smoking initiation became more pronounced, whereas shared environmental influences that promote similarity between family members diminished. Genetic factors primarily explained the links between parental supervision and cigarette smoking initiation in mid-adolescence. Peer tobacco use displayed stronger associations with and moderating potential in adolescent cigarette smoking initiation than parental supervision. High levels of peer tobacco use amplified genetic risk for cigarette smoking initiation in mid-adolescence. The patterns of gene-environment interplay between peer processes and Chinese adolescent cigarette smoking initiation are dynamic throughout adolescence.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • gene-environment interplay
  • cigarette smoking
  • Chinese
  • twin
  • parental supervision
  • peer cigarette use

• Graduation date

  Spring 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-xtw9-8w73

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.