The Effects of Locus of Control and Problem Solving Skills of Secondary School Students on Their Smoking Perception

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of adolescents' locus of control and problem-solving skills on adolescents’ smoking perception. Method: The sample of the study conducted in descriptive cross-sectional design consisted of 1253 middle school students studying in five, six, seven, and eighth grades in two secondary schools in Izmir Province. Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, Problem Solving Inventory for Children at the Level of Primary Education and Child Decisional Balance Scale were used to collect data of this research. Percentages, Mean values, correlation, multipleregression analysis were used in order to analyze the data of the study. Results: It was determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between the adolescents’ locus of control and problem-solving skills, which is positive and at a moderate level (p<0.01). Adolescents who have a positive attitude towards cigarettes have a lower average score for problemsolving skills and a higher average score for the locus of control. Adolescents who have a negative attitude towards cigarettes have a lower average score for the locus of control and a higher average score for problem-solving skills. Conclusion: Adolescents' perceptions of the pros/cons of smoking are affected by the locus of control and problemsolving skills. Therefore, For this reason, it is recommended that prevention programs to be developed to prevent smoking should focus more on the cons of perceptions of smoking.