A novel smoking-specific self-control task: An initial study of feasibility, acceptability, and changes in self-control and cigarette smoking behaviors among adults using cigarettes.

Objective: Self-control is a key factor in quitting cigarettes and practicing general self-control tasks may strengthen self-control. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a novel smoking-related self-control task. Method: Seventy-five adults with current cigarette smoking (Mage = 44.8, 74.7% male, 63.5% Black, 74.3% non-Latinx) were randomly assigned to practice a smoking-specific self-control task (Delay Smoking Task, n = 39) or a general self-control task (Posture Task, n = 36) for 1 week. Assessments included cigarettes per day (CPD), motivation to quit smoking, self-control, and task acceptability. Results: Most participants completed both appointments with no difference between task groups (p = .69). The Delay Smoking Task group rated the task as more difficult (p = .04) and more helpful for quitting smoking (p = .005) than did the Posture Task group. Self-control task groups did not differ in task effort (p = .66), task success (p = .14), or self-control used to practice the task (p = .13). Both task groups reported increased quit desire, expected quit success, quit confidence, and quit motivation (p < .05; partial η²s = 0.108-0.333). The time by task group interaction approached significance for expected quit success (p = .06; partial η² = .053), with the Delay Smoking Task group showing greater increases than the Posture Task group. Over the week, smoking decreased an average of 1.0 CPD with no difference between groups (p = .72; partial η² = 0.165). Conclusions: Practicing self-control was associated with increases in motivation to quit, confidence in quitting, and expected success at quitting smoking with similar changes for those practicing a smoking-specific versus a general self-control task. Self-control tasks may be useful for increasing motivation to quit cigarettes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-control and smoking in a sample of adults living with HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking prevalences are very high in persons living with HIV (PLWH). Identifying variables among PLWH that are linked to smoking in community samples (e.g., self-control) can inform smoking treatments for PLWH. The current study examined the association of self-reported self-control and smoking (e.g., smoking status, cigarette dependence) in a sample of PLWH. METHODS: Adult PLWH were recruited from the Center for Positive Living (Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, US). All participants completed measures of demographics, cigarette smoking, and self-control. Participants who reported current cigarette smoking completed measures of cigarette dependence; intolerance for smoking abstinence; and motivation, confidence, and desire to quit smoking. RESULTS: The overall sample included 285 PLWH (49.1% cigarette users, 55.4% male, 52.7% Black race, 54.8% Latino/a ethnicity). PLWH with current cigarette smoking reported lower self-control than PLWH with no current cigarette smoking (M = 116.88, SD = 17.07 versus M = 127.39, SD = 20.32; t = -4.15, df = 211, p < 0.001). Among PLWH with current cigarette smoking, lower self-control was associated with greater cigarette dependence (ρ = -0.272, p < 0.01), and lower confidence in quitting smoking cigarettes (ρ = 0.214, p < 0.05). Lower self-control was associated with greater overall smoking abstinence intolerance (ρ = -0.221, p < 0.05) and withdrawal intolerance (ρ = -0.264, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Among a sample of PLWH, lower self-control was related to cigarette smoking (versus no smoking), greater cigarette dependence, lower confidence in quitting smoking, and greater intolerance for smoking abstinence. It may be useful to target self-control among PLWH to increase confidence in quitting and abstinence intolerance with the goal of improving smoking cessation outcomes.

Characteristics associated with perceived interrelations of pain and smoking among people living with HIV.

Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) have very high prevalences of both cigaret smoking and pain, yet little is known about the relationship between smoking and pain for PLWH. The current study examines the perceived interrelations between pain and smoking and participant characteristics (i.e., demographics, heavier versus lighter smoking, current pain severity, depression, anxiety symptoms) in a sample of 101 current cigaret smoking adult PLWH in the Bronx, New York. Participants completed assessments of demographics, smoking behaviors, psychiatric symptoms, and pain severity. Interrelations of pain and smoking were measured using the 9-item Pain and Smoking Inventory (PSI) total score and three domain scores (pain as a motivator for smoking, smoking to cope with pain, and pain as a barrier for smoking cessation). Significant associations were found between greater current pain severity and greater endorsement of overall perceived interrelations between pain and smoking, pain as a motivator for smoking, and smoking to cope with pain. Greater anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with greater endorsement of overall perceived interrelations between pain and smoking, pain as a motivator for smoking, and smoking to cope with pain. Understanding the perceived relations between smoking and pain, as well as associated factors such as anxiety and pain severity, may help to guide interventions for PLWH who smoke in order to reduce the high prevalence of smoking and significant smoking-related health consequences.

The relationship of anxiety and smoking behaviors to medication adherence among cigarette smokers living with HIV.

INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV/AIDS [PLWH] who smoke cigarettes report lower medication adherence. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between anxiety and smoking behaviors (e.g., smoking quantity and frequency) and medication adherence in a sample of PLWH who smoke. METHODS: PLWH who reported current cigarette smoking and use of antiretroviral medication were recruited from Center for Positive Living at Montefiore Medical Center (New York, US). Participants completed questions about their current smoking behavior, anxiety symptoms, and medication adherence. RESULTS: The analytic sample included sixty-eight PLWH who smoked cigarettes (female 48.5%, mean age = 49.1 ±â€¯8.8 years, 52.2% Latino/a). The participants smoked an average of 10.53 (SD = 8.6) cigarettes daily and just over half of participants (55.9%) reported high medication adherence. There was a significant association between greater anxiety symptoms and poorer medication adherence (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.04-1.15, p = .001). Participants with higher anxiety symptoms were more likely to report forgetting to take their medication, forgetting to take medication when leaving on a trip, stopping medication when feeling symptoms are under control, and when feeling hassled about sticking to the treatment plan. Within this sample of current smokers, there were no significant associations between smoking quantity or frequency and medication adherence and no interactive effects of these smoking behaviors and anxiety on medication adherence. DISCUSSION: Current cigarette smoking PLWH who reported greater anxiety symptoms were less likely to adhere to their medication than current smoking PLWH who reported fewer anxiety symptoms. PLWH who smoke may benefit from assessment and management of anxiety.

Perceived risks and benefits of quitting smoking in a sample of adults living with HIV/AIDS.

Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) smoke at high prevalences and experience significant smoking-related consequences. In community samples, perceived risks and benefits of quitting smoking are related to quit motivation and outcomes and are more strongly endorsed by women. This study examined perceived risks and benefits of quitting smoking and the relationship between risks and benefits and quit motivation and confidence in male and female PLWH. One hundred seven PLWH who reported current cigarette smoking completed measures of demographics, smoking, perceived risks and benefits of quitting smoking, motivation to quit smoking, and confidence in ability to quit smoking. The highest endorsed risks of quitting smoking were cravings and weight gain and higher endorsement of craving risks was associated with lower confidence in the ability to quit smoking. Women endorsed overall risks and risks related to negative affect more highly than men. Women and men did not differ in their endorsement of the other risks, the benefits of quitting, or the relationship between risks and benefits and quit motivation or confidence. It may be useful for health care professionals to incorporate information about perceived risks and benefits of quitting smoking into treatment when working with PLWH who want to stop smoking.

Cigarette Smoking Is Associated With Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorder Relapse: A Nationally Representative, Prospective Longitudinal Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the relationship between cigarette smoking and long-term outcomes for substance use disorder (SUD). The current study examined the association between smoking and SUD relapse among adults with remitted SUDs. METHODS: Analyses were conducted on respondents who completed Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions and met DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse and dependence prior to but not during the year before the Wave 1 interview (n = 5,515). Relationships between smoking status (Wave 2 smoking vs nonsmoking among Wave 1 smokers; Wave 2 smoking vs nonsmoking among Wave 1 nonsmokers) and Wave 2 substance use and SUD relapse were examined using logistic regression analyses. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, psychiatric and alcohol use disorders, nicotine dependence, and SUD severity. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, continued smoking at Wave 2 among Wave 1 smokers was associated with significantly greater odds of substance use (OR = 1.56, 95% CI, 1.10-2.20) and SUD relapse (OR = 2.02, 95% CI, 1.65-2.47) compared to Wave 2 nonsmoking. In the fully adjusted model, smoking at Wave 2 among Wave 1 nonsmokers was associated with significantly greater odds of SUD relapse compared to Wave 2 nonsmoking (OR = 4.86, 95% CI, 3.11-7.58). CONCLUSIONS: Continued smoking among smokers and smoking initiation among nonsmokers were associated with greater odds of SUD relapse. More research is needed to examine the timing of SUD relapse in relation to smoking behaviors. Incorporating smoking cessation and prevention efforts into substance abuse treatment may improve long-term substance use outcomes for adult smokers with SUDs.

Depression and cigarette smoking behavior: A critical review of population-based studies.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and depression are both leading causes of disability, mortality and morbidity around the world. Using epidemiologic data to study the association between depression and the severity, course, and persistence of smoking in the general population is important for understanding the scope of the problem of smoking among people with depression. OBJECTIVES: The current paper aims to critically review existing epidemiologic research on the smoking behaviors of persons with depressive symptoms and disorders and to identify gaps in the literature that warrant further study. METHODS: Literature searches of Medline and EMBASE were used to identify articles that analyzed epidemiologic data and examined an aspect of smoking behavior in persons with depressive symptoms or disorders. Six hundred ninety-three abstracts were reviewed and 45 studies met all of the inclusion criteria to be included in the review. RESULTS: Persons with depression, compared to those without depression, are more likely to smoke, and meet criteria for nicotine dependence, are less likely to quit smoking, and are more likely to relapse. Little is known about the association between depression and smoking behavior by age, socioeconomic status, or race/ethnicity or with regard to the use of tobacco products other than cigarettes. CONCLUSION: Persons with depression are more likely to smoke cigarettes and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Community-based and public health approaches may need to begin considering the links between depression and smoking in order to best target the current smokers in the population and develop more effective tobacco control campaigns.

Cigarette Smoking Behaviors and Beliefs in Persons Living With Hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Tobacco use is common among persons living with hepatitis C (PLHC), yet little is known about their smoking behaviors and beliefs. Modern hepatitis C treatment offers a unique opportunity to intensively engage this population about other health risks, including smoking. MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-seven tobacco users (40 hepatitis C virus [HCV] seropositive and 37 HCV seronegative) enrolled in an interview study in a New York City clinic. The mean age was 51.6, 57.1% were male, 40.3% Latino, and 49.4% black. 67.5% were single and 18.2% were employed. HCV+ smokers differed from HCV- smokers in having a higher prevalence of illicit substance use, depression, and hypertension. PLHC smokers were highly motivated to quit, with 52.5% stating an intention to quit within 30 days. Most of the PLHC smokers had used cessation-directed pharmacotherapy, but almost none had tried a quitline or a quit smoking website. PLHC smokers scored higher on the intrapersonal locus of control subscale. Almost a quarter (22.5%) believed that smoking "helped fight the HCV." CONCLUSIONS: PLHC smokers have a high burden of psychiatric and substance use comorbidity. They exhibit characteristics that distinguish them from uninfected smokers, and many harbor false beliefs about imagined benefits of smoking. They are highly motivated to quit but underutilize cessation aids. Without aggressive intervention, smoking-related morbidity will likely mute the health benefits and longevity gains associated with hepatitis C treatment. Research such as this may prove useful in guiding the development of future tobacco treatment strategies. IMPLICATIONS: This is the first paper to examine, in detail, sociobehavioral correlates of tobacco use in PLHC. PLHC are recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services as a high-priority health disparities population. We are not aware of any tobacco treatment services designed specifically for PLHC. The first step in designing an intervention is defining the characteristics of the target group. Our findings will begin to address this need, and may prove useful in optimizing tobacco treatment strategies for smokers living with hepatitis C.

A review of research on smoking behavior in three demographic groups of veterans: women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual orientation minorities.

BACKGROUND: Veterans comprise a large segment of the U.S. population and smoke at high rates. One significant way to reduce healthcare costs and improve the health of veterans is to reduce smoking-related illnesses for smokers who have high smoking rates and/or face disproportionate smoking consequences (e.g. women, racial/ethnic minorities, sexual orientation minorities). OBJECTIVES: We reviewed published studies of smoking behavior in three demographic subgroups of veterans - women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual orientation minorities - to synthesize current knowledge and identify areas in need of more research. METHODS: A MEDLINE search identified papers on smoking and veterans published through 31 December 2014. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were identified that focused on gender (n = 17), race/ethnicity (n = 6), or sexual orientation (n = 2). Female and sexual orientation minority veterans reported higher rates of smoking than non-veteran women and sexual orientation majority veterans, respectively. Veterans appeared to be offered VA smoking cessation services equally by gender and race. Few studies examined smoking behavior by race/ethnicity or sexual orientation. Little information was identified examining the outcomes of specific smoking treatments for any group. CONCLUSION: There is a need for more research on all aspects of smoking and quit behavior for women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual orientation minority veterans. The high rates of smoking by these groups of veterans suggest that they may benefit from motivational interventions aimed at increasing quit attempts and longer and more intense treatments to maximize outcomes. Learning more about these veterans can help reduce costs for those who experience greater consequences of smoking.