1. Reliability of Offspring’s Reports on Parental Smoking History in Smoking Surveys and Factors Affecting Responses Stephanie Thau

2. Questions • How reliable is offspring’s report on parental cigarette use? • Does the reliability differ between siblings and twins? • Can we identify characteristics that impact the extent to which offspring’s reports of parental smoking match parent’s self-reports?

3. Sample • The data comes from the NAG (Nicotine Addiction Genetics) Project, conducted by Pam Madden, Ph.D., and the IRPG Project, conducted by Andrew Heath, D.Phil. There were 2713 families, with a total of 9688 participants, ranging in age from 18-91. Of those, 5163 (53.3%) were female and 4525 (46.7%) were male. • There were 1272 participants from 597 families with either a mother or father that participated in the survey. There were 515 mothers that participated and 374 fathers. Of those with at least one parent participating with a history of regular smoking, 89% experienced that parent smoking during their lifetime.

4. Percentages of Mom’s Reports of Their Own Smoking Compared to Offspring’s Reports of Their Mom’s Smoking Note: Offspring used was the oldest offspring in a family

5. Percentages of Dad’s Reports of Their Own Smoking Compared to Offspring’s Reports of Their Dad’s Smoking Note: Offspring used was the oldest offspring in a family

6. Correlation Between All Offspring’s Reports of Parental Smoking Habits (n=1732) and Parental Self Report (mom n=515, dad n=374)

7. All Female Offspring’s Reports of Parental Smoking Habits (n=886) Compared With Parent’s Self Report (mom n=515, dad n=374)

8. All Male Offspring’s Reports of Parental Smoking Habits (n=846) Compared With Parent’s Self Report (mom n=515, dad n=374)

9. Reports of Parental Smoking Habits by Offspring with a History of Regular Smoking (n=1595)Compared With Mom’s Self Report (n=515)

10. Reports of Parental Smoking Habits by Offspring with a History of Regular Smoking (n=1595)Compared With Dad’s Self Report (n=374)

11. Reports of Parental Smoking Habits by Offspring Who Were Exposed To Smoking in the Home (n=1121) Compared With Mom’s Self Report (n=515)

12. Reports of Parental Smoking Habits by Offspring Who Were Exposed To Smoking in the Home (n=1121)Compared With Dad’s Self Report (n=374)

13. Do Twins Have a Stronger Correlation (# of twin pairs, n=380) Than Siblings (n=1632) in Report of Mom’s Smoking Habits?

14. Do Twins Have a Stronger Correlation • (# of twin pairs, n=380) Than Siblings (n=1632) in Report of Dad’s Smoking Habits?

15. Are Female Siblings (n=918) More Reliable Than Male Siblings (n=697) in Report of Mom’s Smoking Habits?

16. Are Female Siblings (n=918) More Reliable Than Male Siblings (n=697) in Report of Dad’s Smoking Habits?

17. Does Having a Parent With A Drinking Problem (n=520) or Who Drinks Excessively (n=576) Affect Reliability with Mom’s Responses?

18. Does Having a Parent With A Drinking Problem (n=520) or Who Drinks Excessively (n=576) Affect Reliability With Dad’s Responses?

19. Conclusions • For all offspring, reliability is moderate to high in all instances except for dad’s history of regular smoking. • Female offspring were less likely to correctly report their father’s self-reported smoking habits compared to male offspring. • Female and male offspring were similar in report of their mother’s smoking behaviors.

20. Conclusions (continued) • There was not a subsequent change in reliability of responses if the offspring was a regular smoker. • There is no substantial difference in reliability if the offspring was exposed to smoking in the home. • The reliability of twin’s report of parental smoking behaviors is similar to that of other siblings.

21. Conclusions (continued) • If offspring reported at least one parent with a drinking problem or that drank excessively, their responses concerning the parent’s smoking behavior were more highly correlated with the parent’s self-reported smoking behavior. Since alcohol problems are correlated with smoking habits, offspring might have a heightened awareness of their parent’s smoking.

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