Ethnic differences in smoking withdrawal effects among adolescents

Brant W Riedel¹, Leslie A Robinson, Robert C Klesges

¹University of Memphis Center for Community Health, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 550, Memphis, TN 38119, USA. b.riedel@mail.psyc.memphis.edu

|January 1, 2003

Summary

Adolescent smoking cessation often involves multiple withdrawal symptoms, with nicotine cravings being most common. Ethnic differences exist, with African Americans reporting fewer symptoms than Caucasians.

Area of Science:

Public Health
Adolescent Health
Behavioral Science

Background:

Adolescent smoking remains a significant public health concern.
Understanding smoking withdrawal effects is crucial for effective cessation interventions.
Previous research has not fully explored ethnic variations in adolescent withdrawal symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify common smoking withdrawal effects experienced by adolescents during a quit attempt.
To examine ethnic differences in reported withdrawal symptoms.
To investigate the impact of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) on withdrawal experiences.

Main Methods:

Data collected from 75 adolescents (54 males, 21 females) in a school-based smoking cessation program.
Participants reported withdrawal effects during a quit attempt.
Statistical analyses used to compare ethnic groups and NRT users.

Main Results:

The most frequent withdrawal effects were nicotine cravings (60%), irritability (51%), and difficulty concentrating (41%).
Most participants (61%) experienced two or more withdrawal symptoms.
African Americans reported significantly fewer withdrawal effects, including irritability and difficulty concentrating, compared to Caucasians, even after controlling for smoking frequency. NRT users reported more difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and feeling miserable.

Conclusions:

Adolescent smoking cessation is associated with prevalent and often multiple withdrawal symptoms.
Ethnic disparities in withdrawal symptom reporting exist, suggesting potential differences in cessation experiences.
Nicotine replacement therapy may be associated with specific withdrawal symptoms, warranting further investigation.

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Ethnic differences in smoking withdrawal effects among adolescents

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Related Experiment Videos

Ethnic differences in smoking withdrawal effects among adolescents

Area of Science:

Background:

Purpose of the Study:

Main Methods:

Main Results:

Conclusions:

Related Concept Videos

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