Motivation and readiness for tobacco cessation among nicotine dependent postmenopausal females: A pilot study.

Abstract

Despite considerable health risks due to lower levels of estrogen production and the compounding antiestrogenic effects of nicotine, postmenopausal females continue to smoke. These females face significant barriers to cessation, including negative affect, weight concerns, and menopausal symptom severity. The current pilot study explored the effect of negative affect, weight concerns, and menopausal symptom severity on motivation and readiness to quit smoking. Eighteen postmenopausal smokers were randomized to receive brief motivational interviewing (B-MI; = 8) or control treatment (i.e., a 1-hour video, n = 10). Participants completed measures of negative affect, weight concerns, and menopausal symptoms, as well as measures of motivation and readiness to quit. Motivation and readiness to quit were reassessed one week following treatment. At baseline, weight concerns, specifically surrounding smoking to prevent overeating, were identified as related to increased motivation to quit smoking. Menopausal symptom severity, specifically somatic symptoms, assessed at baseline, was associated with increased readiness for cessation. B-MI did not increase motivation or readiness to quit; however, results indicate that cigarettes per day decreased from baseline to follow-up by approximately 20-30%. These results provide valuable insight into enhancing engagement in a cessation treatment among this population. (PsycINFO Database Record

Changes in excessive alcohol use among older women across the menopausal transition: a longitudinal analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation

“…Motivational interviewing is widely implemented in primary care and other medical settings, and women with alcohol-related illnesses may be encouraged to reflect on drinking patterns and make behavioral changes, especially since older women are less likely to seek treatment for alcohol use in specialized treatment settings [5]. This is further supported by evidence suggesting the assessment of smoking behaviors and health (e.g., lung age and blood pressure) was related to a decrease in cigarettes per day in a previous study of postmenopausal women [22]. Thus, such intersection with medical providers may be beneficial in assisting older women in cutting down or stopping alcohol use.…”

Smoking Across the Menopausal Transition in a 10-Year Longitudinal Sample: The Role of Sex Hormones and Depressive Symptoms

“…34 This highlights the need to develop novel interventions to increase motivation to quit smoking and improve cessation outcomes among this population. Previous research has shown that menopausal symptom severity, including somatic menopausal symptoms (eg sweating, hot flashes, cardiac complaints), was related to increased motivation to quit smoking 35 ; thus, evaluating one's health and menopausal symptomatology may increase motivation to quit smoking among postmenopausal women. 35 In future work, it may be beneficial to incorporate health evaluation into motivational-based interventions with this population.…”

“…Previous research has shown that menopausal symptom severity, including somatic menopausal symptoms (eg sweating, hot flashes, cardiac complaints), was related to increased motivation to quit smoking 35 ; thus, evaluating one's health and menopausal symptomatology may increase motivation to quit smoking among postmenopausal women. 35 In future work, it may be beneficial to incorporate health evaluation into motivational-based interventions with this population. In addition, addressing other potential barriers to cessation, including psychosocial stress may be advantageous.…”