Smoking behaviour, motives, motivation to quit and self‐efficacy among patients in a secure mental health service: comparison with staff controls

Abstract

People with mental disorder account for a disproportionately large amount of smokers, and the problem is greatest in inpatient settings. 'Stop smoking' services should be tailored to the needs of individual patient groups. It is important therefore to investigate factors relevant to different groups in order to inform future quit smoking interventions. We compared 50 patients and 50 staff in a secure mental health hospital on measures of smoking and smoking motives, nicotine dependence, craving, previous cessation attempts, motivation to quit and quit smoking-related self-efficacy. Patients were significantly more dependent on nicotine with higher levels of craving; were more likely to smoke to cope with stress, for something to do when bored, for enjoyment and pleasure; and reported significantly less readiness to quit smoking. Staff were more likely to cite health concerns as reasons for quitting. Future pre-intervention work with inpatients should focus on increasing their readiness to quit smoking. Once motivation is increased, interventions should include advice on reducing cravings, finding alternative methods for coping with stress and boredom and achieving enjoyment and pleasure from alternative sources.

Smoking behavior among patients and staff: a snapshot from a major metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Australia

“…Literature suggests that when readiness to quit is increased, interventions need to target on reducing cravings 11. Increased awareness campaigns in the hospital may aid in improving the readiness to quit among smokers.…”

“…Literature suggests very low levels of routine provision of smoking cessation advice to patients by Australian health care providers 10. On the other hand, smoking behavior and motivation to quit differ between patients and staff who are smokers 11. Concerns about own health and health of family members or friends were identified as the key motivating factors to quit among both patients and staff who are smokers 12.…”

“…Concerns about own health and health of family members or friends were identified as the key motivating factors to quit among both patients and staff who are smokers 12. Patients were also reported to be more dependent on nicotine and less motivated to quit smoking compared with hospital staff 11. Exploring readiness to quit and nicotine dependence among patients and staff is important for smoking cessation support strategies available in hospital settings in Australia to be implemented properly.…”

Difficulties Faced by Psychiatric Patients While Trying to Quit Smoking

“…Cerca de dois terços dos pacientes psiquiátricos almejam parar de fumar, porém apenas 3% conseguem manter a abstinência sem ajuda profissional. 1,5,6 Revisão publicada pela Cochrane mostrou que as intervenções de enfermagem para cessação do uso de tabaco são eficazes. O desafio é integrá-las às atividades cotidianas dos enfermeiros.…”

A Short Motivational Program Based on Temporary Smoking Abstinence: Towards Increased Self-Efficacy to Quit in Psychiatric Inpatients

“…The challenge is to help these smokers shift to the "contemplation" stage, introducing them to the idea of stopping. Special emphasis is needed on the largely neglected phase preceding the moment a smoker feels ready to engage in a quit attempt, or during initial phases of smoking history, when he does not consider himself as a smoker [9].…”