The Association Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Smoking Constructs in Black Adults With Obesity Who Smoke

Black individuals in the United States have high rates of obesity and cigarette smoking, both of which increase health risks. One factor that has demonstrated significant relations to cigarette smoking outcomes is anxiety sensitivity. Yet, work examining these relations among Black individuals with obesity who smoke is nonexistent. Therefore, the present study examined the role of anxiety sensitivity in relation to several smoking outcomes among Black individuals with obesity who smoke.

Participants were 161 Black adults with obesity who endorsed daily combustible cigarette smoking (M_age = 47.1 years, SD = 14.19, age range 19-73 years; 65.2% female).

Results indicated that greater levels of anxiety sensitivity were statistically significantly and positively related to increased cigarette dependence, severity of problems when trying to quit, perceived barriers to smoking cessation, and smoking abstinence expectancies, including negative mood, somatic symptoms, and harmful consequences. Importantly, findings were observed above and beyond the variance accounted for by age, sex, education, income, perceived physical health, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, hazardous drinking, and cannabis use.

These findings suggest that Black individuals with obesity who smoke and exhibit higher levels of anxiety sensitivity may be at increased risk for processes known to sustain smoking behavior and impede quitting success.