Intentions to quit smoking among daily smokers and consistent andconverted nondaily college student smokers Open Access

Pinsker, Erika Ashley (2012)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/ff3656309?locale=en
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Abstract

Given the high prevalence of smoking, particularly nondaily smoking, among young adults, research is needed to understand the different trajectories of smoking among this group. We examined factors related to smoking initiation, progression, and cessation and differing smoking trajectories in relation to readiness to quit smoking in the next month. The current study is a secondary data analysis of an online survey that was administered to six Southeast colleges in Fall 2010. A total of 24,055 students were recruited, yielding 4,849 responses (20.1% response rate), with complete data from 4,438 students. Overall, 63.8% (n= 3,094) were nonsmokers, 6.0% (n = 293) were quitters, 6.5% (n = 317) were consistentnon daily (i.e., never daily) smokers, 5.8% (n = 283) were converted nondaily (i.e., historically daily) smokers, and 9.3% (n = 451) were daily smokers. There were significant differences in sociodemographics, other substance use (alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana, and other tobacco products) in the past 30 days, and psychosocial factors (e.g., smoking attitudes, perceived harm) among these subgroups of students (p<.001). Among current smokers, there were significant differences in the average number of cigarettes smoked per day, recent quit attempts, self-identification as a smoker, self-efficacy, and motivation to quit (p<.001). After controlling for sociodemographics and other psychosocial factors, converted nondaily smokers were more likely to be ready to quit in the next month versus consistent nondaily smokers (OR=2.15, CI 1.32, 3.49, p=.002). Understanding differences among subgroups of young adults with different smoking histories and current behaviors is critical in developing interventions targeting psychosocial factors that may differentially impact cessation efforts among this population.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction Page 1

II. Literature Review Page 6

III. Method Page 9

IV. Results Page 15

V. Discussion Page 18

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