Effects of Student Perceptions of Social Skills on their Perception of Smoking
ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION, vol.15, no.14, pp.5937-5940, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 15 Issue: 14
- Publication Date: 2014
- Doi Number: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.14.5937
- Journal Name: ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.5937-5940
- Keywords: Social skill, pros/cons perception, smoking among children, social skill perception and smoking
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: This study was conducted as a descriptive-correlational exercise with the aim of determining the effect of student perceptions of social skills on their pro and con perceptions of smoking. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 106 students at 6th, 7th and 8th grades in three primary schools. The data were collected through socio-demographic data collection form, Social Skill Perception Form and Child Decisional Balance Scale. Data were evaluated by percentage calculation, Student t test and correlation analysis. Results: While the point average of pro perception of smoking of the students with a high point average of social skill perception, was 8.6 +/- 3.1, in those with a low social skill perception point average it was 10.7 +/- 4.2, the difference being significant(p=0.012). The respective point averages of con perceptions were 26.8 +/- 3.7 and 23.5 +/- 3.3, again significant (p=0.000). While a positive medium level (r=0.410) relationship was determined between the point average of social skill perception and con perception of smoking, a negative low level (r=0.281) relationship was determined with the pro perception of smoking. Conclusions: As the social skill perception point average increases, children's con perceptions of smoking increase and their pro perceptions decrease.