Association Between Trauma Exposure and Smoking in a Population-Based Sample of Young Adults

Abstract

Purpose-To evaluate the relationship between smoking and trauma exposure in a populationbased, longitudinal sample. Contrary to current smoking trends in the general population, recent findings indicate continued high smoking rates in trauma-exposed samples.Methods-A nationally representative sample of 15,197 adolescents was followed from 1995 (mean age=15.6) to 2002 (mean age=22) as part of 3 waves of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). We examined the relation between self-reported trauma exposure and smoking behaviors (lifetime regular, current regular), nicotine dependence (Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND)), number of cigarettes per day, and age of onset of regular smoking.Results-Controlling for demographics and depressive symptoms, exposure to traumatic events yielded a significant increase in the odds of lifetime regular smoking. Nicotine dependence and cigarettes smoked per day was also significantly related to exposure to Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse. Decreased age of regular smoking onset was seen for those reporting Childhood Physical Abuse and Childhood Sexual Abuse.Conclusions-Exposure to traumatic life events during childhood and young adulthood increases the risk of smoking, highlighting the need to prevent and treat tobacco use in this vulnerable population.

Associations of Discrimination and Violence With Smoking Among Emerging Adults: Differences by Gender and Sexual Orientation

“…For instance, gender-stratified models revealed that past-year sexual assault was associated with smoking status among heterosexual and bisexual women but not lesbians, even though lesbians and heterosexual women had similar prevalence of sexual assault. Given research demonstrating that female survivors of sexual assault have increased risk of smoking (Acierno et al, 2000;Cloutier, Martin, & Poole, 2002;Roberts et al, 2008), this lack of association for lesbians may be an artifact of relatively smaller sample size, as there were over four times as many heterosexual women.…”

“…In fact, certain types of victimization, such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and traumatic events, can be independent risk factors for continued smoking (Amstadter et al, 2009;Roberts, Fuemmeler, McClernon, & Beckham, 2008;Stueve & O'Donnell, 2007). Prior work with adolescent and young adult racial minorities demonstrates associations between racial-and ethnic-based discrimination and smoking (Guthrie, Young, Williams, Boyd, & Kintner, 2002;Landrine & Klonoff, 2000;Wiehe, Aalsma, Liu, & Fortenberry, 2010).…”

Risk Factors for Smoking in Rural Women: The Role of Gender-Based Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence

“…Demographic variables included the following: age (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49), and ‡50 years); race (white vs. other); education (less than HS, HS diploma, General Educational Development (GED), and >high school diploma); marital status (married, divorced or separated, widowed, never been married, and living with a partner); annual household income; number and age of people living at residence of participant; and health insurance (private, government assisted, or none). In addition, the following measures were collected and/or variables derived.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16] For instance, regional differences in smoking prevalence persist for women Ohio Appalachian residents, and smoking is an established risk factor linked to elevated cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the region. 1,3 In Ohio Appalachia, in 2012, 32.1% of women aged 19 and older smoked every day or some days-compared with 22.7% in metropolitan regions, 24.4% in rural non-Appalachian regions, and 23.3% in suburban regions of the state. 17 Among Ohio Appalachian women, risk factors for smoking include low socioeconomic position in adulthood, depressive symptoms, first pregnancy before age 20, and younger age.…”

“…For instance, childhood sexual abuse is associated with smoking, smoking persistence, nicotine dependence, daily cigarettes consumed, earlier age of regular smoking onset, and more severe withdrawal symptoms among smokers attempting to quit. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In a nationally representative U.S. sample, adolescent girls reporting a history of both physical and sexual abuse had odds of regular smoking 5.90 times that of nonexposed girls. 22 In addition, multiple exposures to assaultive violence, including sexual abuse, in childhood were a robust positive predictor of cigarette smoking later in life.…”