Factors associated with cigarette experimentation among adolescents presenting to a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic

Aims: This study aimed to examine the associations between cigarette experimentation and sociodemographic, familial, psychiatric and individual factors among adolescents presenting to a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic. Methods: The sample consisted of 67 adolescents aged 13-18 years who applied to a university child and adolescent mental health outpatient clinic. Adolescents who had tried cigarettes at least once in their lifetime but did not engage in regular use were classified as the cigarette experimentation group (n=30), and those who had never smoked as the control group (n=37). A sociodemographic data form was administered; family functioning, childhood trauma and physical activity levels were assessed using self-report scales, and psychiatric diagnoses were determined through clinical interviews. Results: The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, family income and family structure. Major depressive disorder (MDD) was more frequent in the experimentation group, whereas school attendance and academic achievement were lower. In this group, family functioning was more impaired; having friends who smoked, as well as sexual abuse, physical neglect and especially emotional neglect scores were significantly higher. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding physical activity or sleep duration. Conclusion: In a child psychiatry outpatient sample, cigarette experimentation among adolescents is associated with MDD, lower academic functioning, impaired family functioning, the presence of smoking peers and childhood traumatic experiences. These findings suggest that preventive interventions targeting adolescent smoking should systematically address family functioning, peer context and trauma history.