The Influence of Friends on Smoking in Twins
Author Information
Author(s): White V M, Byrnes G B, Webster B, Hopper J L
Primary Institution: The Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, The Cancer Council Victoria
Hypothesis
Does smoking among friends explain apparent genetic effects on current smoking in adolescence and young adulthood?
Conclusion
The study found that the smoking behavior of friends has a significant influence on the smoking habits of adolescents and young adults, overshadowing genetic factors.
Supporting Evidence
- Twins who had friends that smoked were much more likely to smoke themselves.
- Monozygotic twins showed greater similarity in smoking behaviors when they lived together.
- Adjusting for friends' smoking reduced the observed genetic concordance in smoking among twins.
Takeaway
If your friends smoke, you're more likely to smoke too, even if you're twins. It's more about who you hang out with than your genes.
Methodology
The study used data from a prospective cohort study of twins surveyed at four different times over 17 years, analyzing their smoking behaviors and the smoking behaviors of their friends and parents.
Potential Biases
The study may have biased heritability estimates due to differential retention of smokers and non-smokers across survey waves.
Limitations
There was attrition from waves 1 to 4, with smokers less likely to participate in later waves, which could bias the results.
Participant Demographics
The study involved twins aged 11-18 years at the start, with a mix of monozygotic and dizygotic pairs.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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