Anxiety sensitivity and reasons for smoking among Black smokers

Black smokers demonstrate higher nicotine dependence and experience higher rates of smoking-related diseases and mortality relative to European American/White smokers. A potential factor relevant to race-specific smoking health disparities may be smoking motives (i.e., motivational basis of smoking). Yet, little research has been conducted to understand psychological factors that may be associated with specific smoking motives among Black smokers. To address this gap in the literature, the current study explored the association between anxiety sensitivity and smoking motives within a subset sample of Black smokers who were interested in participating in a smoking cessation trial (N = 105; 70.5 % male; M_age = 44.8 years, SD = 11.6 years). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated anxiety sensitivity was associated with smoking motives related to habit (β = 0.39, p <.001), negative affect reduction (β = 0.32, p <.001), stimulation (β = 0.31, p <.001), and sensorimotor manipulation (β = 0.26, p =.008). Limited support was found for the effect of motives on past quit attempt engagement. These results may broaden understanding of the psychological mechanisms related to smoking motivation among Black smokers and may inform future intervention efforts to reduce smoking motivation among this health disparities population.