Psychosocial factors related to smoking: The midlife study

Background There is limited research on the correlates of cigarette smoking in women in late midlife. Objectives The present study examined the associations between risk factors in several psychosocial domains and current cigarette smoking among women in their mid-60s. These domains included risks in personal attributes, family relationships, negative life events, financial stressors, contextual factors, and problematic alcohol use. Methods Data were from a cohort of women originally living in two upstate New York counties (N = 511) in late midlife (mean age = 65). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results The results supported our hypotheses. The cumulative psychosocial risk index was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of cigarette smoking [A.O.R. = 1.53; 95% C.I. (1.3-.181); p < .001] after controlling for age and educational level. Conclusions and Scientific Significance It is important to reduce the number of psychosocial risk factors faced by women in their 60s in order to reduce the likelihood of continued cigarette smoking.