Effect of Spousal Support on Smoking Cessation Outcome of Self-quitters

Park, Eal Whan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Positive spousal support is considered to be effective for successful smoking cessation. In this study, interaction behaviors of spouses for smoking cessation and association of characteristics of spousal relationship with smoking cessation outcome was assessed.
METHODS
Self-quitters who visited a family medicine clinic or a health promotion center were inquired on their smoking status and the relationship with their spouse by using the PIQ (partner interaction questionnaire). In a follow-up period of 3 and 6 months, current smoking status of each patient was assessed again by tele phone.
RESULTS
The smoking cessation rate among the subjects was 14.1%. There were significant differences between the successful quitters group and the failed group in age and smoking years (P<0.05). For the mean PIQ scores based on 71 persons, the mean total PIQ score was 42.9 (SD 12.8), the mean positive PIQ score was 18.8 (SD 7.7), and the mean negative score was 24.1 (SD 6.9). We analyzed the association of PIQ scores with continuous abstinence at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. And there was no relationship between negative behaviors and abstinence at 3 and 6 months. Also, there was no relationship between the positive/negative score ratio and continuous abstinence at 3 and 6 months.
CONCLUSION
The self quitters' partners were fairly interactive, but more of the interactions were negative in nature. Our data suggest that frequency of positive and negative interactions are not significantly related to the success rate of smoking cessation at 3- and 6-month follow-up periods.