The Role of Statistical Power: A Study of Relationship Between Emotional and Conduct Problems, Sociodemographic Factors, and Smoking Behaviours in Large and Small Samples of Latvian Adolescents

: Background and Objectives: Adolescent smoking is influenced by sociodemographic
and psychological factors, including emotional and conduct problems. Understanding how
sample size impacts the interpretation of these associations is critical for improving study
design and public health interventions. This study examines the relationships between
smoking behaviours, sociodemographic factors, and emotional and conduct problems,
focusing on how sample size affects statistical significance and effect size interpretation.
Materials and Methods: Data from the Latvian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children
study was analysed. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were conducted to evaluate
associations between smoking behaviours, sociodemographic factors, and emotional and
conduct problems. Analyses were performed on both a large general sample and ten smaller
generated subsamples to compare the impact of sample size on statistical outcomes. Results:
Age and conduct problems emerged as the most consistent predictors of adolescent smoking
behaviours across large and small samples, while other predictors, such as family affluence
and family structure, showed weaker and less consistent associations. A large sample
produced significant results even for weak predictors. Conclusions: This study highlights the
importance of integrating effect size interpretation with statistical significance, particularly
in large datasets, to avoid overstating findings. By leveraging real-world data, it provides
practical recommendations for improving study design and interpretation in behavioural,
medical, and public health research, contributing to more effective interventions targeting
adolescent smoking.