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 smokingrelated self-control task. Method: Seventy-five adults with current cigarette smoking (M age = 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. Selfcontrol 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 η 2 s = 0.108-0.333). The time by task group interaction approached significance for expected quit success ( p = .06; partial η 2 = .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 η 2 = 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.
Public Health Significance StatementThis study found that a novel smoking-related self-control task was feasible to administer and acceptable to adults currently using cigarettes. This study found that practicing self-control was associated with increases in motivation to quit, confidence in quitting, and expected success at quitting smoking among adults currently using cigarettes with similar gains for those practicing smoking-related self-control and those practicing general self-control. The results of this study suggest that practicing self-control may be useful to increase motivation to quit smoking among adults not ready to quit smoking.
Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) smoke cigarettes at much higher prevalences than the general population. Less is known about PTSD and other smoking behaviors (e.g., smoking quantity and frequency) or about smoking among individuals who experience trauma. Objective: To examine differences in cigarette smoking behaviors among adults in the United States (a) with no exposure to trauma or PTSD, (b) with trauma but no PTSD, and (c) with PTSD. Methods: Data came from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-II (NESARC-II, 2004-2005 and included demographics, PTSD diagnoses, traumatic events, and smoking behaviors. Odds ratios and group differences in smoking prevalence and behaviors based on PTSD diagnoses and exposure to traumatic experiences were calculated. Results: Traumatic events and PTSD diagnoses were both associated with greater smoking prevalences than persons without trauma or PTSD. Individuals with PTSD who smoke were more likely to report daily smoking than those without PTSD who smoke (Cohen's d ϭ 0.19). Cigarette users with either trauma or PTSD smoked more cigarettes per day than cigarette users without trauma or PTSD (Cohen's d ϭ 0.35). US adults with trauma exposure or PTSD have higher smoking prevalences and more intense smoking behaviors than those without PTSD or trauma. Conclusion: Trauma or PTSD may each serve as a clinical indicator of increased risk of cigarette smoking-related health problems and prompt the implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the harms of smoking.
Clinical Impact StatementThis study found that U.S. adults with trauma (and no diagnosis of PTSD), in addition to adults with PTSD, have higher cigarette smoking prevalences and heavier smoking behaviors (i.e., greater smoking frequency and quantity) than adults without trauma or PTSD. Trauma exposure is prevalent among U.S. adults, making individuals with trauma a large and underresearched disparity group related to cigarette smoking. Continued efforts are needed to reduce cigarette use among people with PTSD and extending efforts to reduce smoking to include people with trauma exposure may be critical for making advances in public health related to cigarettes.
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