Are single mothers’ higher smoking rates mediated by dysfunctional coping styles?

Abstract

BackgroundSmoking prevalence has been shown to be considerably higher among single mothers as compared to their married or cohabiting counterparts. This study examines whether this could be attributed to single mothers’ different capability in dealing with stress.MethodsBased on cross-sectional data of 3129 German mothers, the study explores the associations between single motherhood, coping styles and moderate and heavy smoking pattern using a regression-based ‘parallel multiple mediator model’.ResultsSingle mothers showed higher rates of negative coping styles than partnered mothers, holding for ‘self-blame/rumination’ (p < 0.001), ‘blaming others’ (p = 0.048) and in particular for ‘substance consumption’ (p < 0.001). With respect to positive coping styles the findings were heterogeneous: while partnered mothers scored higher on ‘active influence’ (p < 0.001), single mothers showed higher values of ‘positive self-verbalisation’ (p < 0.001). Evidence for a mediating effect of coping styles on the relationship between single motherhood and moderate as well as heavy smoking was only found for ‘substance consumption’. Moreover, single motherhood may moderate the effect of ‘self-blame/rumination’ on heavy smoking (p = 0.025). Against expectations, higher levels of ‘active influence’ were not associated with lower but with significant higher odds of moderate smoking (OR = 1.19).ConclusionSingle mothers compared to partnered mothers showed a different ability to cope with stress. However, only the coping strategy ‘substance consumption’ mediates the relationship between single motherhood and smoking. Exclusively in single mothers, ‘self-blame/rumination’ was associated with heavy smoking, indicating that they might utilize smoking as a way to come to terms with negative ruminative thoughts.

Stressful life events are associated with perinatal cigarette smoking

“…Resource loss has previously been identified as a significant source of emotional distress for women in general, 25 and losing a significant amount of resources shortly before or during pregnancy may also influence women to engage in perinatal smoking, perhaps in an attempt to cope with resource loss, or the emotional distress from resource loss. 26 This may be one of the reasons why contingency management interventions (i.e., financial incentives for smoking abstinence) are effective during the perinatal period. 27 However, resource loss is just one of the many possible mechanisms that may play a role in perinatal smoking, and additional research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms of action responsible for these observations.…”

Comparison of Coping Strategies and Psychological Hardiness in Matriarchs and Married Mothers under the Auspices of Supportive Institutions

“…Single mothers showed a higher level of negative coping strategies than the married ones. (26) the higher economic strain of custodial mothers contributed to impaired role-coping strategies and loss of parental control, which ultimately interfered with parenting. (27) Psychological hardiness was investigated in three dimensions of control, commitment, and challenging, and the results showed a significant difference between matriarchs and married mothers in the control and commitment dimensions.…”

“…(25) Some previous studies indicated that single mothers had a higher level of negative coping strategies than the married ones. (26) the higher economic strain of custodial mothers contributed to impaired role-coping strategies and loss of parental control, which ultimately interfered with parenting. (27) In women, hardiness may be more related to mental health.…”

Increasing smoking cessation adherence: Do we need to consider the role of executive function and rumination?

“…pictures and statements), reported a higher worry, related to effects of smoking on their health, driving them to made factual plans to quit ( McCaul, Mullens, Romanek, Erickson, & Gatheridge, 2007 ). In opposition, increased ruminative thought is associated with the adoption or engagement of unhealthy behaviors, such as unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and a broad substance abuse ( Allan et al, 2016 ; Cropley et al, 2012 ; Nosen & Woody, 2014 ; Sperlich & Maina, 2014 ). Nosen and Woody observed that motivated smokers who ruminate in response to negative affect, craving, and withdrawal, are at a greater risk to be continuous smokers and to make a briefer duration of cessation attempts ( Nosen & Woody, 2014 ).…”