Do state and trait anxiety play a mediating role in the relationship between perceived stress and nicotine dependence?

Thursday, 24 November, 2022 - 09:00 to 19:30

Abstract

Background: For smoking cessation treatments to be more effective, factors that influence smoking outcomes must be considered. One of them is perceived stress which is associated with smoking heaviness, higher nicotine withdrawal symptomatology, more difficulties in past quit attempts and higher relapse rates. Another factor is nicotine dependence, which predicts short and long-term abstinence and is associated with higher relapse risk.

Thus, knowing which variables mediate the relationship between both factors is a relevant aspect to be able to design tailored interventions. One of these variables could be state and trait anxiety, which are related to both perceived stress and nicotine dependence severity.

The aim of the present study is to examine the influence of state and trait anxiety in the relationship between perceived stress and nicotine dependence in a sample of seeking-treatment smokers.

Methods: The sample was composed of 667 Spanish smokers (60% women; Mage=44.38; SD=11.05) enrolled in a smoking cessation treatment. The questionnaires used were: 1) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS14); 2) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S/T); and 3) Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD). Multiple mediational analysis was conducted to examine the effect of perceived stress on nicotine dependence through state and trait anxiety.

Results: A significant indirect effect of perceived stress on nicotine dependence, through STAI-T (B=0.033; SD=0.012, 95% CI: 0.0091-0.0574), was found. No significant indirect effect was found through STAI-S (B=0.012; SD=0.007, 95% CI: -0.0027-0.0279). The total indirect effect was also statistically significant.

Conclusion: Results showed a significant indirect effect of perceived stress on nicotine dependence through trait anxiety. These findings have clinical implications since perceived stress and nicotine dependence have been found to be associated with abstinence. Therefore, the inclusion of techniques targeting these two factors and trait-anxiety could improve smoking cessation treatment outcomes.

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