Examining the moderating effect of anxiety sensitivity on past-month pain severity and heaviness of smoking among adult smokers experiencing homelessness. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reuven, Sean M.; Chen, Tzu-An; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Businelle, Michael S.; Kendzor, Darla E.; Reitzel, Lorraine R.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 112(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Anxiety sensitivity -- Homelessness -- Pain -- Smoker -- Cigarette dependence; 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.2020.106610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Smoking rates are high among the homeless, and interventions are needed. Anxiety sensitivity = fear of behaviors/sensations related to experiencing anxiety. Anxiety sensitivity and pain interacted to predict increased cigarette dependence. Anxiety sensitivity treatment may address pain and dependence comorbidities. Abstract: Background: Pain and cigarette smoking are reciprocally related. Domiciled smokers with higher anxiety sensitivity (AS) - the fear of behaviors/sensations associated with the experience of anxiety - consume more cigarettes and report greater tobacco dependence than smokers with lower AS. AS treatment can reduce chronic pain and facilitate smoking cessation. Here, we examine the potentially moderating role of AS in the association between past-month pain (PMP) and heaviness of smoking (HS) among smokers experiencing homelessness. Methods: Participants (N = 461; 64.9% men, Mage = 43.1 ± 11.8) were smokers recruited from 6 homeless serving agencies in Oklahoma City, OK. Participants self-reported the presence and severity of PMP ("How much bodily pain have you had during the past four weeks?"), HS was measured via the heaviness of smoking index (HSI), and AS was measured via the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-III (ASI-III) and its 3 subscales: physical, cognitive, and social concerns. Linear regressions were used to examine potential ASI moderation controlling for age, sex, race, education, health insurance, perceived stress, and major depression. Results: ASI-III total, cognitive, and physical concerns each significantly moderated associations of PMP and HSI ( p s < 0.05), whereas social concerns did not. Individuals with high AS had greater cigarette dependence as PMP values increased. Conclusion: Similar to research with domiciled smokers, current results suggest that smokers experiencing homelessness who have high AS may benefit from AS-based interventions to reduce the association between PMP and HS, which may facilitate smoking cessation among this vulnerable group.