Cigarette smoking as a coping strategy: negative implications for subsequent psychological distress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths

Abstract

Objective: The heightened risk of cigarette smoking found among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths may be because smoking serves as a coping strategy used to adapt to the greater stress experienced by LGB youths. The current report examines whether smoking moderates the relation between stress and subsequent psychological distress, and whether alternative coping resources (i.e., social support) moderate the relation between smoking and subsequent distress.

Method: An ethnically diverse sample of 156 LGB youths was followed longitudinally for 1 year.

Results: Significant interactions demonstrated that smoking amplified the association between stress and subsequent anxious distress, depressive distress, and conduct problems. Both friend and family support buffered the association between smoking and subsequent distress.

Conclusions: Smoking has negative implications for the distress of LGB youths, especially those reporting high levels of stress or few supports. Interventions and supportive services for LGB youths should incorporate smoking cessation to maximally alleviate distress.

Figure 1.

Stressful life events amplify the role of cigarette smoking on depressive distress

Figure 2.

Interpersonal stress amplifies the role of cigarette smoking on psychological distress

Figure 3.

Social support from family moderates the negative association between cigarette smoking and psychological distress

Figure 4.

Social support from friends moderates the negative association between cigarette smoking and psychological distress