Subjective social status and readiness to quit among homeless smokers

Lorra Garey; Lorraine R Reitzel; Jafar Bakhshaie; Darla E Kendzor; Michael J Zvolensky; Michael S Businelle

doi:10.5993/AJHB.39.2.1

Subjective social status and readiness to quit among homeless smokers

Am J Health Behav. 2015 Mar;39(2):157-66. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.39.2.1.

Authors

Lorra Garey¹, Lorraine R Reitzel², Jafar Bakhshaie¹, Darla E Kendzor³, Michael J Zvolensky¹, Michael S Businelle³

Affiliations

¹ The University of Houston, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Houston, TX, USA.
² The University of Houston, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, Houston, TX, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, USA. [email protected].
³ The University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, USA.

PMID: 25564827
DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.39.2.1

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the predictive value of subjective social status (SSS-US and SSS-Community) on readiness to quit among 245 homeless smokers.

Methods: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted (stratified by sex).

Results: Higher SSS-US (p = .02) and SSS-Community (p < .001) predicted greater readiness to quit in the total sample. These relationships upheld for men (p's <. 01), but only SSS-Community predicted readiness to quit for women (p = .02).

Conclusions: Higher SSS is associated with greater readiness to quit among homeless smokers. SSS-Community may be a more relevant index of SSS for women relative to SSS-US. Results suggest SSS may be a factor that contributes to smoking, disease, and health disparities.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
Male
Middle Aged
Self Concept*
Smoking / psychology*
Smoking Cessation / psychology*
Social Class*
Social Support*