Adolescents’ use of tobacco is a worldwide problem due to the negative consequences on their physical and psychosocial development. One contextual variable related to tobacco use is family conflict. Previous research has suggested that the relationship between family conflict and tobacco use could be mediated by personality traits. The aim of this study is to examine the direct and indirect effects of family conflict on tobacco use (conventional and electronic cigarettes) through specific impulsivity constructs. The sample comprised 879 adolescents (56.4% male; M(SD)age = 14.25 (1.88) years). Multiple mediational analysis showed that there was no significant direct effect between family conflict and tobacco use; however, an indirect effect was found between family conflict and conventional cigarette use through sensation seeking and premeditation. With electronic cigarettes, a significant indirect effect was found via sensation seeking. These findings have implications in terms of prevention and treatment of tobacco use during adolescence.

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Suicidal behaviour in adolescents is a significant problem worldwide. Family plays an important role in this issue, with family conflict associated with a greater likelihood of current suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. It has been suggested that the relationship between these two variables may be mediated by how social information is handled. The assertive interpersonal schema, which helps to understand conflict as a normal experience, may be a relevant variable. The aim of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of family conflict on suicidal behaviour through the assertive interpersonal schema in an adolescent sample. The sample comprised 229 participants (52.8% boys, M(SD)age = 15.76 years (1.24)). A total of 29.7% of the participants reported suicidal ideation, and 4.8% indicated having attempted suicide in the previous two weeks. Family conflict was positively related to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. A multiple mediation analysis showed that both effects were significant in all the dependent variables, with the assertive interpersonal schema explaining a large part of the effect of family conflict, particularly for suicidal ideation. These findings have implications for the prevention and treatment of this problem in adolescents.