Objectives: To examine the relationship between aggressive behavior (e.g., verbal aggression, physical aggression, and property destruction) and the initiation of tobacco and alcohol use among students. Methods: Data was obtained from the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) project. The participants included 1,486 students who were continually followed from 4 to 9th grade (from 2001 to 2006). Survival analysis was also performed. Results: (1) Tobacco and alcohol use was initiated in 8.34 th and 6.65th grades, respectively. (2) The survival probability of tobacco and alcohol initiation greatly decreased between 7 th and 9th grades. (3) Verbal aggression was a significant predictor of both tobacco and alcohol initiation (HR: 1.86 and 1.44, respectively); property destruction was also related to a higher risk of alcohol initiation (HR: 1.39). Conclusions: Verbal aggression and property destruction were significant predictors of tobacco and alcohol initiation. To prevent and delay tobacco and alcohol initiation, it is important to target students who have aggressive behavior, especially those who are verbally aggressive and engaging in property destruction. Furthermore, tailored preventive programs were suggested to be designed, and the time of intervention should be initiated earlier in elementary school.
Date:
2008-12
Relation:
Taiwan Journal of Public Health. 2008 Dec;27(6):530-542.
