The effects of alcohol and tobacco use on academic performance among Chinese children and adolescents: Assessing the mediating effect of skipping class

Abstract

Using a nationally representative survey of urban areas from China, the present study examines three research questions: (1) how are alcohol and tobacco use associated with academic performance among Chinese children and adolescents? (2) how does skipping class mediate those associations? And (3) do any observed patterns differ for boys and girls? Our results show that alcohol and tobacco use are associated with poor academic performance. However, alcohol use fully accounts for the detrimental effect of tobacco use on academic performance. Moreover, skipping class partially and fully mediates the effects of alcohol and tobacco use on poor academic performance. The adverse effect of tobacco use on academic performance is stronger for girls than boys. To improve children's and adolescents’ academic performance, it is important to document the potential contributing factors.