Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cigarette Smoking, Mental Health and Social Support

Data from a Northwestern First Nation

  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of smoking is high in many Aboriginal Canadian communities; rates of 50% are not uncommon. Aboriginal Canadians suffer a severe burden of smoking-related disease. Research in other populations has linked depression and smoking. It is not known whether mental health or affective measures are related to smoking for any of Canada’s First Nations, and this study sought to answer this question. Understanding relations between affect and smoking behaviour is requisite to mounting anti-smoking interventions.

Methods

Smoking status and psychosocial measures including depression, mastery, affect balance and social support were obtained in a community-based chronic disease survey for a rural Interior Salishan First Nation in British Columbia (Plateau area). Persons surveyed were on-reserve residents (n=187), overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), with mean age of 44.1 years (standard deviation 15.0).

Results

The prevalence of smoking was 48.1%. Adjusted for age, sex and body mass index, smokers relative to nonsmokers had higher (p<0.010) depression (mean 21.3 [CI 95%, 19.1–23.4] vs. 16.1 [14.1–18.0]) and negative affect (18.6 [14.9–22.3] vs. 11.0 [7.6–14.4]), and lower mastery (36.4 [35.5–37.3] vs. 38.1 [37.2–38.9]). A positive relationship between mastery and social support was greater for nonsmokers (p=0.046).

Conclusion

Depression and negative affect are associated with smoking among overweight persons in a rural First Nation in British Columbia. Furthermore, smoking is inversely related to mastery, and this relation varies with social support. Longitudinal study is required to determine whether smoking influences mental health and mastery, or the reverse.

Résumé

Contexte

Le tabagisme est très répandu dans de nombreuses communautés autochtones du Canada; des taux de 50% ne sont pas rares, et les Autochtones du Canada souffrent beaucoup de maladies liées au tabagisme. Les recherches menées auprès d’autres populations ont établi un lien entre la dépression et le tabagisme. Par ailleurs, on ne sait pas si le tabagisme a une incidence sur la santé mentale ou émotionnelle des Autochtones du Canada. La compréhension des liens entre l’affect et le statut de fumeur est un important préalable à l’élaboration d’interventions visant la réduction du tabagisme.

Méthode

Une enquête au niveau communautaire sur les maladies chroniques d’une population rurale autochtone de la Colombie-Britannique a fourni des données sur le statut de fumeur/nonfumeur et sur des caractéristiques psychosociales incluant la dépression, la maîtrise de sa situation, l’équilibre émotif et le soutien social. Les participants de l’étude étaient des Indiens inscrits vivant dans une réserve (n=187), 67% étant des femmes, et l’âge moyen était de 44,1 ans (écart-type de 15,0).

Résultats

Le taux de tabagisme était de 48,1%. Compte tenu de l’âge, du sexe et de l’indice de masse corporelle, les fumeurs, comparativement aux non-fumeurs présentaient des taux plus élevés (p<0,010) de dépression (21,3 [19,1–23,4] c. 16,1 [14,1–18,0]) et d’affect négatif (18,6 [14,9–22,3] c. 11,0 [7,6–14,4]), et un taux moins élevé de maîtrise de sa situation (36,4 [35,5–37,3] c. 38,1 [37,2-38,9]). Une relation positive entre la maîtrise de sa situation et des niveaux supérieurs de soutien social prévalait chez les non-fumeurs (p=0,046).

Conclusion

Il existe une corrélation entre la dépression ou un affect négatif et le tabagisme chez les personnes faisant de l’embonpoint dans une population rurale autochtone de la Colombie- Britannique. De plus, le tabagisme est inversement proportionnel à la maîtrise de sa situation, et cette relation varie selon le degré de soutien social. Les efforts pour réduire le tabagisme dans la population autochtone du Canada devraient porter sur les aspects de la santé mentale, du soutien social et de la maîtrise de sa situation, en tenant compte des contextes socioculturel et historique plus larges d’où émergent les formes actuelles de style de vie.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Daniel M, Linder GF. Indigenous populations. In: Breslow L, Green LW, Keck W, Last J, Lave L, McGinnis M (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Public Health, Vol 2. New York: Macmillan, 2002;610–11.

    Google Scholar 

  2. First National and Inuit Regional Health Survey National Steering Committee: National Report. First Nations and Inuit Regional Health Survey, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Anonymous. Cigarette smoking among adults-United States, 1998. MMWR 2000:49(39):881–84.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Covey LS, Glassman AH, Stetner F. Cigarette smoking and major depression. J Addict Dis 1998:17(1):35–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lasser K, Boyd JW, Woolhandler S, Himmelstein DU, McCormick D, Bor DH. Smoking and mental illness: A population-based study. JAMA 2000:284(20):2606–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Anda RF, Williamson DF, Escobedo LG, Mast EE, Giovino GA, Remington PL. Depression and the dynamics of smoking. JAMA 1990:264(12):1541–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Jorm AF, Rodgers B, Jacomb PA, Christensen H, Henderson S, Korten AE. Smoking and mental health: Results from a community survey. Med J Austral 1999:170:74–77.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Romans SE, McNoe BM, Herbison GP, Walton VA, Mullen PE. Cigarette smoking and psychiatric morbidity in women. Aust N Z J Psychiat 1993:27:399–404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Green CA, Pope CR. Depressive symptoms, health promotion, and health risk behaviors. Am J Health Prom 2000:15(1):29–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Turner RJ, Lloyd DA. The stress process and the social distribution of depression. J Health Soc Behav 1999;40(December):374–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Franks F, Faux SA. Depression, stress, mastery, and social resources in four ethnocultural women’s groups. Res Nurs Health 1990:13:283–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cott CA, Gignac MAM, Badley EM. Determinants of self rated health for Canadians with chronic disease and disability. J Epidemiol Community Health 1999:53:731–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Penninx BWJH, Tilburg TV, Deeg DJH, Kriegsman DMW, Boeke AJP, van Eijk JTM. Direct and buffer effects of social support and personal coping resources in individuals with arthritis. Soc Sci Med 1997:44(3):393–402.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Grant JS, Bartolucci AA, Elliot TR, Giger JN. Sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial characteristics of depressed and non-depressed family caregivers of stroke survivors. Brain Inj 2000:14(12):1089–100.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Frese M. Social support as a moderator of the relationship between work stressors and psychological dysfunction: A longitudinal study with objective measures. J Occup Health Psychol 1999:4(3):179–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lin N, Ye X, Ensel WM. Social support and depressed mood: A structural analysis. J Health Soc Behav 1999;40(December):344–59.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Eriksen W, Sandvik L, Bruusgaard D. Social support and the smoking behaviour of parents with preschool children. Scand J Soc Med 1997:25(2):93–99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Digiusto E, Bird KD. Matching smokers to treatment: Self-control versus social support. J Cons Clin Psychol 1995:63(2):290–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Daniel M, Marion SA, Sheps SB, Hertzman C, Gamble D. Variation by body mass index and age in waist-to-hip ratio associations with glycemic status in an aboriginal population at risk for type 2 diabetes in British Columbia, Canada. Am J Clin Nutr 1999:69:455–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pearlin LI, Lieberman MA, Menaghan EG, Mullan JT. The stress process. J Health Soc Behav 1981;22(December):337–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Pearlin LI, Schooler C. The structure of coping. J Health Soc Behav 1978;19(March):2–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hakstian AR, McLean PD. Brief screen for depression. Psych Assess 1989:1(2):139–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. McLean PD, Hakstian AR. A brief screen for depression: Development and application. In: Keller PA, Heyman SR (Eds.), Innovations in Clinical Practice: A Source Book (Vol. 10). Sarasota: Professional Resource Exchange, 1991;387–91.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bradburn NM. The Structure of Psychological Well-Being. Chicago: Aldine, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  25. McDowell I, Praught E. On the measurement of happiness: An examination of the Bradburn Scale in the Canada Health Survey. Am J Epidemiol 1982:116:949–58.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Engel NS. On the vicissitudes of health appraisal. Adv Nurs Sci 1984:7:12–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Moriwaki SY. The Affect Balance Scale: A validity study with aged samples. J Gerontol 1974:29:73–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Bild RR, Havighurst RJ. Life satisfaction. Gerontologist 1976:16:70–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gritz ER, Nielsen IR, Brooks LA. Smoking cessation and gender: Influence of physiological, psychological, and behavioral factors. J Am Med Wom Assoc 1996;51(1&2):35–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rausch JL, Nichinson B, Lamke C, Matloff J. Influence of negative affect on smoking cessation treatment outcome: A pilot study. Br J Addict 1990:85:929–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Delfino RJ, Jamner LD, Whalen CK. Temporal analysis of the relationship of smoking behavior and urges to mood states. Nicotine Tobacco Res 2001:3:235–48.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Littman G. Alcoholism, illness, and social pathology among American Indians in transition. Am J Public Health 1970:60(9):1769–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Theorell T, Alfredsson L, Knox S, Persk A, Sevensson J, Waller D. On the interplay between socioeconomic factors, personality and work environment in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Scand J Work Environ Health 1984:10:373–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Karasek R, Baker D, Marxer F, Ahlbom A, Theorell T. Job decision latitude, job demands, and cardiovascular disease: A prospective study. Am J Public Health 1981:71:694–705.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Johnson JV, Stewart W, Hall EM, Fredlund P, Theorell T. Long-term psychosocial work environment and cardiovascular mortality among Swedish men. Am J Public Health 1996:86(3):324–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Wilkinson RG. Health, hierarchy, and social anxiety. Ann NY Acad Sci 1999:896:48–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Rotter JB. Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external reinforcement. J Consult Clin Psychol 1975:43:56–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Bandura A. Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. Am Psychol 1982:37:122–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Syme SL. Control and health: Personal perspective. In: Steptoe A, Appels A (Eds.), Stress, Personal Control and Health. Brussels-Luxembourg: John-Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1989; 3–18.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Taylor SE, Seeman TE. Psychosocial resources and the SES-health relationship. Ann NY Acad Sci 1999:896:210–25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Green LW, Kreuter MW. Health Promotion Planning: An Educational and Ecological Approach. Toronto, ON: Mayfield, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Patten CA, Gillin JC, Golshan S, Wolter TD, Rapaport M, Kelsoe J. Relationship of mood disturbance to cigarette smoking status among 252 patients with a current mood disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 2001:62(5):319–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Romano PS, Bloom J, Syme L. Smoking, social support, and hassles in an urban African- American community. Am J Public Health 1991:81(11):1415–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Vlahov D, Galea S, Resnick H, Ahern J, Boscarino JA, Bucuvalas M, et al. Increased use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana among Manhattan, New York, residents after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Am J Epidemiol 2002:155(11):988–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Stewart MJ, Gillis A, Brosky G, Johnston G, Kirkland S, Leigh G, et al. Smoking among disadvantaged women: Causes and cessation. Can J Nurs Res 1996:28(1):41–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Hodge FS, Fredericks L, Kipnis P. Patient and smoking patterns in northern California American Indian clinics. Cancer 1996;78:1623–28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Ross CE, Reynolds JR, Geis KJ. The contingent meaning of neighborhood stability for residents’ psychological well-being. Am Soc Rev 2000;65(August):581–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Israel BA, Farquhar SA, Schulz AJ, James SA, Parker EA. The relationship between social support, stress, and health among women on Detroit’s East Side. Health Educ Behav 2002:29(3):342–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Rice VH, Templin T, Fox DH, Jarosz P, Mullin M, Seiggreen M, Lepczyk M. Social context variables as predictors of smoking cessation. Tobacco Cont 1996:5:280–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Landrine H, Klonoff EA. Racial discrimination and cigarette smoking among Blacks: Findings from two studies. Ethnic Dis 2000:10(2):195–202.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Kessler RC, Mickelson KD, Williams DR. The prevalence, distribution, and mental health correlates of perceived discrimination in the United States. J Health Soc Behav 1999;40(September):208–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Kirmayer L, Brass G, Tait CL. The mental health of Aboriginal peoples: Transformations of identity and community. Can J Psychiat 2000:45:607–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Chandler MJ, Lalonde C. Cultural continuity as a hedge against suicide in Canada’s First Nations. Transcult Psychiat 1998:35(2):191–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Townsley HC. One view of the etiology of depression in the American Indian. Public Health Rep 1977:92(5):458–61.

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada

    Mark Daniel PhD (Dr.)

  2. Department of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Québec, Canada

    Margaret D. Cargo PhD

  3. School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Canada

    Julie Lifshay MPH

  4. Office of Science and Extramural Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, Canada

    Lawrence W. Green DrPH

Authors
  1. Mark Daniel PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Margaret D. Cargo PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Julie Lifshay MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lawrence W. Green DrPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Daniel PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Daniel, M., Cargo, M.D., Lifshay, J. et al. Cigarette Smoking, Mental Health and Social Support. Can J Public Health 95, 45–49 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403633

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403633

Search

Navigation