Smoking behavior and social contexts associated with smoking among dual‐smoker couples

Abstract

Objectives To examine smoking behavior and social contexts related to smoking among dual‐smoker couples. Design Cross‐sectional online survey study. Sample A convenience sample of 183 dual‐smoker couples. Measurements Investigator‐developed survey on smoking and related social contexts. Results Participants smoked 16.0 cigarettes daily for 14.2 years; 48.4% shared more than half of their smoking time with their spouse. More than half made quit attempts in the past year individually (M = 5.3) and jointly (M = 2.5). Couples sharing more smoking time were more likely to be motivated to quit (p = .002), make quit attempts (p < .0001), and be interested in cessation interventions (p = .002); but less likely to implement home smoking bans (p < .001). Among those who reported quit attempts, 41% quit by themselves and 15.3% sought professional assistance. Most common reasons for relapse were chronic stress and crisis, 63.6%, however, were interested in smoking cessation services, preferably technology‐based interventions. Conclusions We found smoking interdependence within dual‐smoker couples. Despite high levels of motivation to quit, most did not utilize professional help, leading to low successful quit rates. Technology‐based smoking cessation interventions incorporating spousal support and addressing stress/crisis may best assist dual‐smoker couples.

Feasibility, tolerability, and potential advantages of a dyadic financial incentive treatment for smoking cessation among dual-smoker couples: A pilot study.

“…The present study’s results demonstrate that FITs for group smoking cessation program attendance and for quitting smoking contribute to individuals in DSCs’ rates of short-term smoking abstinence and reduced nicotine dependence, urges to smoke, and tobacco withdrawal. Though DSCs rarely try to quit together (Choi et al, 2020; Ranby et al, 2013), offering FITs to DSC partners during the same timeframe potentially activates social motivational mechanisms to promote quit attempts and abstinence. All 20 participants at follow-up were from 10 dyads, and six of the seven people who had quit were members of three couples, demonstrating feasibility for retention at the couple level and highlighting how FITs may harness DSCs’ interdependence of smoking beliefs and behaviors to facilitate joint quitting.…”

“…People who smoke cigarettes who are coupled with another smoker (i.e., dual-smoker couples [DSCs]) represent approximately two-thirds of all U.S. smokers (Acquavita et al, 2014; Falba & Sindelar, 2008; Homish & Leonard, 2005; Kendrick et al, 1995). Many DSCs report wanting themselves and their partner to quit smoking (Choi et al, 2020; Ranby et al, 2013). However, DSCs are often less motivated to quit (Ranby et al, 2013; Rüge et al, 2008), less likely to try to quit (Cobb et al, 2014; Ferguson et al, 2005; Franks et al, 2002), and more likely to relapse (Ferguson et al, 2005; Garvey et al, 1992; Lee & Kahende, 2007; Palmer et al, 2000), making DSCs a challenging and large population for whom improved smoking cessation strategies may be needed.…”

“…smoking (Choi et al, 2020;Ranby et al, 2013). However, DSCs are often less motivated to quit (Ranby et al, 2013;Rüge et al, 2008), less likely to try to quit (Cobb et al, 2014;Ferguson et al, 2005;Franks et al, 2002), and more likely to relapse (Ferguson et al, 2005;Garvey et al, 1992;Lee & Kahende, 2007;Palmer et al, 2000), making DSCs a challenging and large population for whom improved smoking cessation strategies may be needed.…”

“…Smoking together may be one way DSCs help regulate their own and each other’s emotions to reduce shared stress (Butler et al, 2014; McCarthy et al, 2018; Rohrbaugh et al, 2009; Shoham et al, 2007), thus they may believe that quitting would negatively affect their relationship. Furthermore, DSCs share smoking-related routines: They often purchase cigarettes for their partner, spend more time smoking with than without their partner, have a designated place where the couple smokes together, and rarely implement smoking bans in their home (Choi et al, 2020; Tooley & Borrelli, 2017). Partners who smoke are also less willing to provide support for quitting (McBride et al, 1998; vanDellen et al, 2016).…”

“…For example, when asked about their confidence in performing quitting behaviors together, individuals in DSCs did not agree ( r =−.02; Haskins et al, 2019). Although joint quit attempts show promise for successful abstinence among DSCs (Lüscher et al, 2018; Lüscher & Scholz, 2017), few DSCs report trying to quit together (Choi et al, 2020; Ranby et al, 2013).…”