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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Sep 1;125(1-2):127-31.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.04.005. Epub 2012 May 2.

Correlates of tobacco dependence and motivation to quit among young people receiving mental health treatment

Rachel A Grana  1 , Danielle E Ramo, Sebastien C Fromont, Sharon M Hall, Judith J Prochaska
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Correlates of tobacco dependence and motivation to quit among young people receiving mental health treatment

Rachel A Grana et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Background: Young people with mental health concerns are at high-risk for initiation and continuation of tobacco use. To inform treatment needs, the current study sought to describe tobacco dependence, motivations to quit and associated sociodemographic factors among young people seen in mental health settings.

Methods: Sixty adolescent and young adult smokers (age mean=19.5 years, range 13-25) receiving outpatient mental health treatment completed measures of tobacco dependence, motivation to quit smoking, mental health, and social environmental factors.

Results: Participants averaged 8.0 cigarettes per day (SD=6.6) and moderate nicotine dependence (mFTQ M=4.8, SD=1.6). Participants' mean rating (10-point scales) of perceived difficulty with avoiding relapse during a quit attempt was significantly higher (M=6.7, SD=2.6), than ratings of desire (M=5.1, SD=2.6) and perceived success (M=4.6, SD=2.6) with quitting. Over half (52%) did not intend to quit smoking in the next 6 months, and few (11%) were prepared to quit in the next 30 days. Mental health treatment and symptomatology measures were unrelated to level of dependence or motivation to quit. Among the social environmental factors, having close friends who smoke was associated with greater perceived difficulty with avoiding relapse during a quit attempt (r=0.25, p<0.01).

Conclusions: In this sample of adolescent and young adult smokers in mental health treatment, moderate levels of tobacco dependence and motivation to quit were observed and found to be unrelated to mental health measures. Over half of the sample was not intending to quit smoking in the near future, supporting the need for treatment strategies aimed at increasing motivation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

This study was not supported, either directly or indirectly, by pharmaceutical or tobacco companies. Unrelated to the study reported here, Drs. Sharon Hall and Judith Prochaska have received research awards from Pfizer, Inc. All other authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. ANOVA of Thoughts about Abstinence Measures by Stage of Change (N=60)
*significant (p<0.01) between people in stages precontemplation vs. contemplation and precontemplation vs. preparation.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Stage of Change and Abstinence Goal (N=60)
χ2=11.9, df=4, p=0.01
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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