Abstract
Negative health effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) are likely more pronounced in dual rather than single smoker couples. Data on how smokers’ perceived harms for self and partner differ between couple types and how these perceptions are associated with motivation to quit are needed. We examined these associations by surveying one member of dual smoker (i.e., both partners smoke) and single smoker (i.e., one partner smokes) couples who engages in WTS. We enrolled online adults ages 18–32 who engaged in WTS during the last month and were in a committed relationship of at least six months. Participants rated their harm to self and, when relevant, to partner, how much they were harming their partner due to their WTS, and partner’s smoke exposure. Participants reported their motivation to quit. Of the 323 participants, 215 (67%) were in dual smoker couples. Participants in dual smoker couples reported lower own perceived risk, which correlated highly with perceived partner risk, than participants in single smoker couples; they also reported harming their partners more even though they downplayed how frequency of smoke exposure was harming the partner. Motivation to quit did not differ by couple type. Across couple types, motivation to quit increased with greater perceived harms. Smokers in dual compared to single smoker couples downplay their risks and perceived harms their smoking causes their partner. Interventions focused on harms to self and partner may be effective to increase motivation to quit and cessation in both couple types.
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Acknowledgements
We thank left black with Stacy Zhao for her editorial assistance and left blank with William Tatum for helping to program the online study
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This work was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, R01- CA217861 awarded to Darren Mays. The study sponsor had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
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Drs. Lipkus and Mays contributed to the design. Data capture was conducted by Dr. Lipkus and Ms. Sanders. Analyses were conducted by Drs. Lipkus and Hatch. All authors contributed to the writing and review of paper drafts.
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Lipkus, I.M., Mays, D., Sanders, C. et al. Exploring motivation to quit and risk appraisals of hookah tobacco smoking for self and partner among a member of single and dual smoker couples. J Behav Med 46, 460–471 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00369-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00369-4