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Are Optimism and Cynical Hostility Associated with Smoking Cessation in Older Women? Ann Behav Med 2017 Aug;51(4):500-510

Date

02/15/2017

Pubmed ID

28194642

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5554747

DOI

10.1007/s12160-016-9873-x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85012250789 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   18 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Optimism and cynical hostility independently predict morbidity and mortality in Women's Health Initiative (WHI) participants and are associated with current smoking. However, their association with smoking cessation in older women is unknown.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test whether optimism (positive future expectations) or cynical hostility (mistrust of others) predicts smoking cessation in older women.

METHODS: Self-reported smoking status was assessed at years 1, 3, and 6 after study entry for WHI baseline smokers who were not missing optimism or cynical hostility scores (n = 10,242). Questionnaires at study entry assessed optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) and cynical hostility (Cook-Medley, cynical hostility subscale). Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and psychosocial characteristics including depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: After full covariate adjustment, optimism was not related to smoking cessation. Each 1-point increase in baseline cynical hostility score was associated with 5% lower odds of cessation over 6 years (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.92-0.98, p = 0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS: In aging postmenopausal women, greater cynical hostility predicts lower smoking cessation over time. Future studies should examine whether individuals with this trait may benefit from more intensive cessation resources or whether attempting to mitigate cynical hostility itself may aid smoking cessation.

Author List

Progovac AM, Chang YF, Chang CH, Matthews KA, Donohue JM, Scheier MF, Habermann EB, Kuller LH, Goveas JS, Chapman BP, Duberstein PR, Messina CR, Weaver KE, Saquib N, Wallace RB, Kaplan RC, Calhoun D, Smith JC, Tindle HA

Author

Joseph S. Goveas MD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Female
Hostility
Humans
Middle Aged
Optimism
Postmenopause
Smoking Cessation