Peer influences on adolescent cigarette smoking: A prospective sibling analysis

Peer influences are among the most powerful correlates of adolescent problem behavior. Using a sibling sample and hierarchical linear modeling to control for shared influences on behavior, the role was examined of nonshared parent and peer influences as prospective predictors of adolescent cigarette smoking onset. These results were compared to results from a subsample of nonsiblings. Peer influences were significant predictors of smoking onset when shared influences were controlled, suggesting that peer group characteristics operate, at least partially, as nonshared influences. Furthermore, nonshared peer influences were stronger in more educated families than in less educated families. Results highlight the potential utility of controlling for shared influences, and support the importance of taking into account the broader social context.