The Association Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Motivation to Quit Smoking Among Women and Men in Residential Substance Use Treatment

Abstract

Background: Smoking-attributed mortality is the leading cause of death among individuals in residential substance use treatment. As such, identifying factors that influence smoking cessation is highly relevant and important for this group. Motivation to quit (MTQ) smoking is one such factor that is related to smoking cessation. Objectives: In the present study we examine the relationship between Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) and MTQ among individuals enrolled in a residential substance use treatment center in Washington, DC. In light of gender differences in smoking cessation as well as factors that contribute to cessation, we examined this relationship by gender in men and women using multiple group path analysis. Methods: Participants (n = 472) completed a measure of MTQ, the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV-TR), a measure of AS, and self-reported their number of cigarettes smoked per day prior to entering a restricted environment. Results: Results indicated that AS was significantly related to MTQ in women (standardized path estimate = 0.21, p = .01), but was not significantly related to MTQ in men. Conclusions/Importance: Findings suggest the importance of considering AS as a factor in MTQ for women and subsequent smoking cessation among individuals in residential substance use treatment. Results of this study contribute to the extant literature on predictors of MTQ and highlight the need for tailored cessation interventions with AS as one potential cessation treatment target.

Keywords :

• anxiety sensitivity
• tobacco cessation
• motivation to quit
• high risk groups
• gender

THE AUTHORS

Jennifer Dahne is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on factors that contribute to the initiation and maintenance of tobacco use as well as on the dissemination of evidence-based treatments for psychopathology and substance use.

Elana M. Hoffman is a doctoral student in Clincal Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on substance use, with a particular emphasis on nicotine addiction. She is interested in applying behavioral treatments for smoking cessation to undeserved populations.

Dr. Laura MacPherson is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research focuses on a developmentally informed examination of the progression and cessation of addictive behaviors among adolescents and young adults to improve youth-tailored interventions as well as developing behavioral treatments for adult smokers with psychiatric comorbidities.