Allison N Kurti1, Elias M Klemperer2, Ivori Zvorsky2, Ryan Redner3, Jeff S Priest4, Stephen T Higgins2. 1. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States. Electronic address: akurti@uvm.edu. 2. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States. 3. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States; Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, United States. 4. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States; Department of Biostatistics, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, United States.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Individuals with a General Educational Development (GED) degree have the highest smoking prevalence of any education level, including high school dropouts without a GED. Yet little research has been reported providing a context for understanding the exception that the GED represents in the otherwise graded inverse relationship between educational attainment and smoking prevalence. We investigated whether the GED may be associated with a general riskier profile that includes but is not limited to increased smoking prevalence. METHOD: Data were obtained from three years (2011-2013) of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health ([NSDUH], N=55,940]). Prevalence of risky repertoire indicators (e.g., ever arrested, seldom/never wears a seatbelt), indicators of social instability (e.g., frequent relocations), and risky demographic characteristics (e.g., male gender) were compared among high school dropouts, GED holders, and high school graduates using Rao-Scott chi square goodness-of-fit tests and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Those with GEDs differed significantly between both high school dropouts and high school graduates across 19 of 27 (70.4%) risk indicators. Controlling for risky profile characteristics accounted for a significant but limited (25-30%) proportion of the variance in smoking prevalence across these three education levels. CONCLUSION: GED holders exhibit a broad high-risk profile of which smoking is just one component. Future research evaluating additional risk indicators and mechanisms that may underpin this generalized risky repertoire are likely needed for a more complete understanding of GED's place in the important relationship between educational attainment and smoking prevalence.
INTRODUCTION: Individuals with a General Educational Development (GED) degree have the highest smoking prevalence of any education level, including high school dropouts without a GED. Yet little research has been reported providing a context for understanding the exception that the GED represents in the otherwise graded inverse relationship between educational attainment and smoking prevalence. We investigated whether the GED may be associated with a general riskier profile that includes but is not limited to increased smoking prevalence. METHOD: Data were obtained from three years (2011-2013) of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health ([NSDUH], N=55,940]). Prevalence of risky repertoire indicators (e.g., ever arrested, seldom/never wears a seatbelt), indicators of social instability (e.g., frequent relocations), and risky demographic characteristics (e.g., male gender) were compared among high school dropouts, GED holders, and high school graduates using Rao-Scott chi square goodness-of-fit tests and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Those with GEDs differed significantly between both high school dropouts and high school graduates across 19 of 27 (70.4%) risk indicators. Controlling for risky profile characteristics accounted for a significant but limited (25-30%) proportion of the variance in smoking prevalence across these three education levels. CONCLUSION: GED holders exhibit a broad high-risk profile of which smoking is just one component. Future research evaluating additional risk indicators and mechanisms that may underpin this generalized risky repertoire are likely needed for a more complete understanding of GED's place in the important relationship between educational attainment and smoking prevalence.
Keywords:
Cigarette smoking; Education; General Educational Development (GED); National Survey on Drug Use and Health; Nationally representative samples; Risky behavior; Young adults
Authors: Tyler D Nighbor; Anthony J Barrows; Janice Y Bunn; Michael J DeSarno; Anthony C Oliver; Sulamunn R M Coleman; Danielle R Davis; Joanna M Streck; Ellaina N Reed; Derek D Reed; Stephen T Higgins Journal: Prev Med Date: 2020-07-24 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Cheryl L Perry; MeLisa R Creamer; Benjamin W Chaffee; Jennifer B Unger; Erin L Sutfin; Grace Kong; Ce Shang; Stephanie L Clendennen; Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin; Mary Ann Pentz Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2020-06-12 Impact factor: 4.244