Emotion dysregulation and cigarette dependence, perceptions of quitting, and problems during quit attempts among Spanish-speaking Latinx adult smokers. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zvolensky, Michael J.; Shepherd, Justin M.; Bakhshaie, Jafar; Garey, Lorra; Viana, Andres G.; Peraza, Natalia
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 96(2019)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Emotion dysregulation -- Smoking -- Latinx -- Tobacco -- Comorbidity, health disparity; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Latinx smokers in the United States (U.S.) represent an understudied health disparities group in terms of tobacco use. Despite scientific interest to elucidate individual difference risk factors for smoking, there is limited understanding of how emotional dysregulation relates to smoking outcomes among Spanish-speaking Latinx smokers. The purpose of the present investigation was therefore to explore emotion dysregulation in relation to cigarette dependence, perceived barriers for quitting, and severity of problems experienced during prior quit attempts. Participants were 363 Spanish-speaking Latinx daily smokers (58.7% female, M age = 33.3 years, SD = 9.81). Results indicated that emotion dysregulation was significantly related to cigarette dependence, perceived barriers for quitting, and problems experienced during past quit attempts. Notably, the effects accounted for 7% to 15% of variance and were evident after adjusting for gender, income, education, number of medical conditions, depression symptoms, non-alcohol drug use, and alcohol consumption. The findings provide novel evidence that emotion dysregulation may represent an important individual difference factor for better understanding smoking-related outcomes among Latinx smokers and supports the need for greater attention to this affective vulnerability during smoking cessation treatment. Highlights: Emotion dysregulation (ED) was studied in relation to smoking in Latinx smokers. Increased ED was significantly related to more severe cigarette dependence. Greater ED was significantly associated with greater perceived barriers for quitting. Elevated ED was related to more problems experienced during past quit attempts. ED may be a vital factor in understanding smoking behavior among Latinx.