Smoking cessation behavior in older adults by race and gender: the role of health problems and psychological distress.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Initial research on older smokers suggests that a subgroup of smokers with higher levels of psychological distress and health problems may be more likely to quit smoking than older smokers with fewer such problems. The present study, based on prospective data from a biracial sample of older adults (N = 4,162), examined characteristics of older adult smokers by race and gender.

Methods

The present study uses both cross-sectional and prospective data to examine the association between smoking behavior, smoking cessation, health functioning, and psychological distress in a biracial sample of community-dwelling older adults.

Results

We found baseline psychological distress to be associated with poor health functioning. Consistent with hypotheses, baseline (Ti

SUBMITTER: Sachs-Ericsson N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2670367 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature