Alicia K Matthews1, Barth B Riley2, Bethany Everett3, Tonda L Hughes2, Frances Aranda2, Timothy Johnson4. 1. Department of Health Systems Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; aliciak@uic.edu. 2. Department of Health Systems Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; 3. Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; 4. Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We conducted a longitudinal evaluation of factors associated with persistent smoking behaviors among sexual minority women (SMW; lesbians and bisexual women). METHODS: Structured interview data were collected as part of a larger longitudinal study of SMW's health: the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study. We conducted multivariate analyses to evaluate the influence of 4 groups of predictor variables on smoking: (a) demographic, (b) childhood victimization, (c) other substance use, and (d) health variables. RESULTS: At Wave 1, 30.9% (n = 138) of participants reported current smoking, with substance-use and demographic factors having the strongest relationships to smoking status. The majority (84.9%) of Wave 1 smokers were also smoking at Wave 2. Among demographic variables, level of education was inversely associated with continued smoking. With respect to substance use, hazardous drinking and cocaine/heroin use were significantly associated with continued smoking. None of the victimization or health variables predicted smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous studies, smoking rates in this sample of SMW were elevated. Despite intensive efforts to reduce smoking in the general population, 84% of SMW smokers continued smoking from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Findings suggest that the majority of SMW will continue to smoke over time. Additional research is needed to increase motivation and access to smoking cessation resources.
INTRODUCTION: We conducted a longitudinal evaluation of factors associated with persistent smoking behaviors among sexual minority women (SMW; lesbians and bisexual women). METHODS: Structured interview data were collected as part of a larger longitudinal study of SMW's health: the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study. We conducted multivariate analyses to evaluate the influence of 4 groups of predictor variables on smoking: (a) demographic, (b) childhood victimization, (c) other substance use, and (d) health variables. RESULTS: At Wave 1, 30.9% (n = 138) of participants reported current smoking, with substance-use and demographic factors having the strongest relationships to smoking status. The majority (84.9%) of Wave 1 smokers were also smoking at Wave 2. Among demographic variables, level of education was inversely associated with continued smoking. With respect to substance use, hazardous drinking and cocaine/heroin use were significantly associated with continued smoking. None of the victimization or health variables predicted smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous studies, smoking rates in this sample of SMW were elevated. Despite intensive efforts to reduce smoking in the general population, 84% of SMW smokers continued smoking from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Findings suggest that the majority of SMW will continue to smoke over time. Additional research is needed to increase motivation and access to smoking cessation resources.
Authors: Sean Esteban McCabe; Alicia K Matthews; Joseph G L Lee; Phil Veliz; Tonda L Hughes; Carol J Boyd Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Alicia K Matthews; Elizabeth Breen; Anna Veluz-Wilkins; Christina Ciecierski; Melissa Simon; Diane Burrell; Brian Hitsman Journal: Prog Community Health Partnersh Date: 2019
Authors: Kristi E Gamarel; Christopher W Kahler; Ji Hyun Lee; Sari L Reisner; Ethan H Mereish; Alicia K Matthews; Don Operario Journal: Prev Med Date: 2015-10-24 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Sarah E Johnson; Enver Holder-Hayes; Greta K Tessman; Brian A King; Tesfa Alexander; Xiaoquan Zhao Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2015-10-31 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Michael R Frank; Rachel Blumhagen; David Weitzenkamp; Shane R Mueller; Brenda Beaty; Sung-Joon Min; Ingrid A Binswanger Journal: J Smok Cessat Date: 2016-03-16