Psychosocial factors related to smoking: the midlife study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is limited research on the correlates of cigarette smoking in women in late midlife. OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the associations between risk factors in several psychosocial domains and current cigarette smoking among women in their mid-60s. These domains included risks in personal attributes, family relationships, negative life events, financial stressors, contextual factors, and problematic alcohol use. METHODS: Data were from a cohort of women originally living in two upstate New York counties (N = 511) in late midlife (mean age = 65). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The results supported our hypotheses. The cumulative psychosocial risk index was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of cigarette smoking [A.O.R. = 1.53; 95% C.I. (1.3-.181); p < .001] after controlling for age and educational level. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: It is important to reduce the number of psychosocial risk factors faced by women in their 60s in order to reduce the likelihood of continued cigarette smoking.