A qualitative study of how individuals with severe mental illness assess smoking risks

Social predictors of cessation treatment use among smokers with serious mental illness

“…Social support from family and friends has been endorsed as a key strategy to smoking cessation among individuals with serious mental illness who made successful quit attempts (Dickerson et al, 2013). However, cigarette smoking also plays a role in the formation of peer groups and social exchange among individuals with serious mental illness (Lucksted, Dixon, & Sembly, 2000), and social norms favoring smoking are reported barriers to smoking cessation (Davis, Brunette, Vorhies, Ferron, & Whitley, 2010;Esterberg & Compton, 2005). Many individuals with serious mental illness spend time in settings where smoking is acceptable and thus they may experience less social pressure to quit than adults in the general population (Bayer & Stuber, 2006).…”

Factors Affecting Smoking Cessation Efforts of People With Severe Mental Illness: A Qualitative Study

“…Emerging qualitative findings suggest that facilitators of cessation include the individual's negative feelings about smoking (e.g., sense of disgust), government policy, messages about the risks of smoking, influences of peers (e.g., making a promise to quit), and adverse health events experienced (Davis, Brunette, Vorhies, Ferron, & Whitley, 2010;Dickerson et al, 2011). Barriers include symptoms and treatment side effects of severe mental illness; negative, stigmatizing, or defeatist attitudes of health care professionals; pervasive social norms about smoking among people living with severe mental illness; concern about weight gain; low motivation, self-efficacy, and confidence; and a lack of skills and available supports, including limited peer support (Esterberg & Compton, 2005;Kerr, Woods, Knussen, Watson, & Hunter, 2013;Lawn, Pols & Barber, 2002;Roberts & Bailey, 2010).…”

Expanding Cessation Pharmacotherapy Via Videoconference Educational Outreach to Prescribers

“…Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy is effective but is underutilized, especially by smokers with mental illnesses, [17][18][19][20][21] even though medication combined with behavioral treatment has been shown to dramatically improve their treatment outcomes. 22,23 Psychiatric providers are ideally positioned to treat patients who smoke for nicotine dependence during routine office visits.…”