Ethnic similarities and differences in reasons for smoking

Lisa Sánchez-Johnsen*, Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, Marian Fitzgibbon, Bonnie J. Spring

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined reasons for smoking among Black and White smokers. We hypothesized that Blacks would be more likely than Whites to cite tension reduction and less likely to cite weight control as a reason for smoking. Black (n = 100) and White (n = 100) female smokers completed the Reasons for Smoking Scale and the Smoking Situations Questionnaire. Regardless of treatment status, Blacks and Whites differed in their reasons for smoking [F(6, 191) = 2.24; p < .05]. Blacks, as compared to Whites, less strongly endorsed weight concern as a reason for smoking [F(1, 198) = 6.10; p < .05]. Results failed to reveal differences in tension reduction, stimulation, handling, relaxation, addiction, and habit as a function of ethnicity. Results suggest that Blacks and Whites exhibit more similarity than difference in their reasons for smoking.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)544-548
Number of pages5
JournalAddictive Behaviors
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2006

Funding

Supported in part by NIH-NCI K01 Career Development Award (1K01CA098753-02), NIH-National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Contract (L60MD000577), NIH-Individual Predoctoral National Research Service Award (GM20281) to Dr. Sánchez-Johnsen; NIH grants (HL52577 and HL59348 to Dr. Spring; NIH grants (HL58871 and CA88935) to Dr. Fitzgibbon; and by NIH Postdoctoral Minority Supplement Award (CA88935-S) to Dr. Fitzgibbon on behalf of Dr. Sánchez-Johnsen. The authors would like to thank Adela Mearig, B.A. for her technical assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • Ethnicity
  • Smoking
  • Weight

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Toxicology

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