Physical activity and smoking beyond high school: A latent growth curve mediation model throught global physical self concept and peer smoking

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A previous cross-sectional study from our group found that global physical self-concept (GPSC) mediates the relation between physical activity (PA) and adolescent smoking. However, it was not clear whether those effects persisted beyond high school. Further, as peer smoking is a key correlate of adolescent smoking, it is possible that adolescents involved in team sport, an environment eschewing smoking, will be less likely to affiliate with peers who smoke, therefore less likely to smoke. Extending our past study, we tested these possibilities in a four wave latent growth curve model (LGCM), assessing indirect paths from 12^th grade PA and team sport participation to baseline smoking and smoking trend through peer smoking and GPSC in a sample of 985 young adults (age 18 at baseline). The LGCM fit reasonably well, chisquare (60. 985)=110.94, p =.0001, CFI=.98, RMSEA=.03, WRMR=.69. As expected, both team sport and PA had significant negative indirect effects on baseline smoking. However, only team sport had a significant negative effect through peer smoking. Only one variable had a significant indirect effect on smoking trend, GPA, through peer smoking, GPSC, and through the former and then through baseline smoking.
 >The findings of this study are consistent with our past findings, suggesting that GPSC indeed mediates the relationship between PA and smoking. The findings also suggest an alternative pathway through peer smoking. Engaging in alternative environments precluding smoking, such as team sports, may indeed protect by reducing exposure to peer smoking. Moreover, although not initially hypothesized, GPA is a key predictor of reduced smoking beyond high school.