The effect of COVID-19 anxiety and awareness on smoking urges: the moderator effect of demographic factors

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 awareness and COVID-19 anxiety on smoking urges, while considering the potential moderating effects of socio-demographic factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted to assess the relationships between COVID-19 awareness, COVID-19 anxiety, and smoking urges. The study also explored how factors such as age, income level, and chronic disease might moderate these relationships. Statistical analysis included regression modeling to determine the strength and significance of the associations.

Results

The findings indicate that COVID-19 anxiety has a negative impact on smoking urges at a low level (β = -0.135; p < 0.01), while COVID-19 awareness moderately and negatively influences smoking urges (β = -0.558; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the study identified that age, income level, and chronic disease act as moderators in the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety, COVID-19 awareness, and smoking urges. Specifically, the effects of COVID-19 anxiety and awareness on smoking urges are amplified among individuals who are older, have a higher income, and experience chronic illness.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significance of COVID-19 awareness in reducing smoking urges among individuals. It also emphasizes that while COVID-19 anxiety diminishes smoking urges to a certain extent, it might paradoxically trigger stress-related smoking behaviors. Importantly, the impact of both awareness and anxiety on smoking urges is more pronounced in individuals who are older, have a higher income, and suffer from chronic diseases. These findings underscore the complex interplay between psychological factors, awareness, and socio-demographic characteristics in influencing smoking behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    

KEYWORDS:

• Covid-19
• awareness
• anxiety
• smoking urges
• Türkiye

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express their gratitude to his dear wife, Spec. Dr. Zeynep Nur KARATAŞ, for her valuable contribution to the survey and data collection carried out in the context of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data of this article can be made available upon reasonable request to the author.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.