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The aim of this study was to explore the components of smoking behavior among a sample of resettled Bosnian refugees: motives for smoking, reasons for quitting smoking, psychological and physical health and the transtheoretical model, across the Bosnian culture. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of resettled refugees living in Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; and Saint Louis, MO (n=114). The current study findings indicated that less acculturated individuals reported higher severity of psychological distress. In addition, severity of psychological distress was found to be positively associated with the severity of nicotine-related physical dependence and severity of physical health problems. Psychological distress was also found to moderate the relationship between nicotine-related physical dependence and physical health symptoms. It was found that with severe symptoms of psychological distress, increased smoking severity may be associated with fewer physical health concerns because smoking decreases symptoms of emotional or psychological distress. Furthermore, our sample was divided in two stages of change, precontemplators and contemplators. It was found that those who were in contemplation stage had an increased number of cons for change of behavior and were utilizing more cognitive processes of change. The sample also identified immediate reinforcement and self-control to be important for their quitting process. Finally, regarding motives for smoking, compared to the original population, our sample reported social-environmental cues and positive reinforcement to be more prevalent motives for smoking. Implications for further assessment and for the development of culturally tailored interventions were discussed.
Advisor: | Weaver, Terri L. |
Commitee: | |
School: | Saint Louis University |
School Location: | United States -- Missouri |
Source: | DAI-B 70/10, Dissertation Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Public health, Clinical psychology |
Keywords: | Bosnian, Psychological distress, Refugees, Smoking |
Publication Number: | 3383308 |
ISBN: | 978-1-109-45488-8 |