Which group of college students is most likely to have the highest smoking rates?

• A. Students with symptoms of depression
• B. Students majoring in engineering
• C. Students who participate in varsity sports
• D. Students living in on-campus housing

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the relationship between psychological factors and health behaviors. Research shows that mental health conditions, such as depression, can influence behaviors like smoking.
2. Step 2: Consider how depression might increase smoking rates. Students with symptoms of depression may use smoking as a coping mechanism to manage stress or negative emotions.
3. Step 3: Compare other groups: engineering majors, varsity athletes, and students living on-campus. These groups may have different social environments and stressors, but typically do not have as strong a direct link to smoking as depression does.
4. Step 4: Review empirical studies or data that examine smoking prevalence among college students with various characteristics. These studies often find higher smoking rates among students experiencing depression compared to other groups.
5. Step 5: Conclude that students with symptoms of depression are most likely to have the highest smoking rates due to the psychological and behavioral factors associated with depression.