Investigating the Relationship between Internet Addiction and VariousAspects of Family Functioning in Adolescents in Khomeinishahr, Iran

Background: Hookah or waterpipe smoking or use is an emerging trend among Iranianpopulation, especially among the youth. The misperception of hookah being less harmful thancigarettes. Hookah users however are exposed to many of the same toxic compounds/by-productsas cigarette users, but at dramatically higher levels, which might lead to more severe negativehealth effects. Due to the prevalence of waterpipe smoking in adolescents, it is necessary toexamine the relevant or behavioral factors at a younger age. This study aimed to investigatewaterpipe smoking and its relationship with various aspects of family functioning in adolescents.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study (descriptive-analytical) in which, ۶۰۴adolescent students in elementally high schools(grade ۷-۹) of Khomeini-Shahr schools, Isfahan,were selected through multistage cluster random sampling. Data collection tools includedMcMaster’s Family Assessment Device (FAD) questionnaires and self-administrativequestionnaire to gather demographic information and history of waterpipe smoking. Correlationtest and regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between the data. Data analysiswas performed with SPSS software.Results: A study of the relationship between family functions and waterpipe smoking showed thatalmost all aspects of family functions including communication, role, affective responsiveness,affective involvement, behavior control, and general functioning were positively related towaterpipe smoking, although none of them were not significant variable in explaining waterpipesmoking behavior among adolescents.Conclusion: Considering the positive relationship between different dimensions of familyfunctions and waterpipe smoking, the higher the ability of performing a role, affectiveresponsiveness, affective involvement, and behavior control in families is, the lower the waterpipesmoking among adolescents will be. Therefore, family functioning can be a significant explanationfor the behavior of waterpipe smoking in adolescents.

کلیدواژه ها:

Waterpipe Smoking ، Family ، Social Functioning ، Adolescent