What is Learned from Longitudinal Studies of Advertising and Youth Drinking and Smoking? A Critical Assessment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

关键词: youth;    measurement of health;    alcohol;    tobacco;    advertising;    longitudinal models;    econometrics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph7030870

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This paper assesses the methodology employed in longitudinal studies of advertising and youth drinking and smoking behaviors. These studies often are given a causal interpretation in the psychology and public health literatures. Four issues are examined from the perspective of econometrics. First, specification and validation of empirical models. Second, empirical issues associated with measures of advertising receptivity and exposure. Third, potential endogeneity of receptivity and exposure variables. Fourth, sample selection bias in baseline and follow-up surveys. Longitudinal studies reviewed include 20 studies of youth drinking and 26 studies of youth smoking. Substantial shortcomings are found in the studies, which preclude a causal interpretation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.