COVID-19 Worry and Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Among Hispanic Individuals Who Smoke
Michael J Zvolensky1,2,3, Bryce K Clausen4, Jessica M Thai4
1Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, USA. mjzvolen@central.uh.edu.
Introduction:
Hispanic persons, the largest minority population in the United States (US), are disproportionately affected by cigarette smoking (hereafter smoking) health disparities. This inequity was made more prominent during COVID-19, as pandemic stress and worry increased substance use disparities.
Stated Aims:
The present study sought to evaluate if COVID-19 worry was associated with increased risk of (negative and positive) smoking abstinence expectancies among Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults who smoke during the pandemic (February 2021-July 2021).
Participants:
Participants identified as Hispanic and smoked combustible cigarettes daily (N = 336; 62.8% male, 35.5 years).
Method:
A cross-sectional research design was employed in the US using scientifically validated instruments.
Results:
In adjusted models, greater degrees of COVID-19 worry were positively associated with negative mood, somatic symptom, and harmful consequences abstinence expectancies. Further, COVID-19 worry was negatively related to positive abstinence expectancies. The effect sizes across models were generally similar in magnitude and ranged from 9 to 12% of variance, with the largest effect observed for positive abstinence expectancies.
Conclusions:
The present research highlights the role of COVID-19 worry as an individual difference factor that can help explain abstinence-based cognitions for smoking behavior during time periods when there is widespread viral contagion.
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