Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Frequent experiences of discrimination could increase vulnerability to tobacco withdrawal and smoking lapse in populations subject to tobacco‐related health disparities. This laboratory study (2013‐2017) examined whether individual differences in perceived exposure to discrimination in one’s daily life predicted tobacco withdrawal symptoms and smoking lapse behavior following acute tobacco deprivation in African American smokers.
DESIGN
Mixed design with the between‐subjects continuous variable of perceived discrimination crossed with the within‐subject variable of tobacco deprivation status (deprived vs. non‐deprived).
SETTING
Academic medical center in Los Angeles, California, USA.
PARTICIPANTS
African American non‐treatment seeking daily cigarette smokers (N=607, ≥10 cig/day).
MEASUREMENTS
At a baseline visit, self‐reported frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination in one’s daily life was measured (EDDS). At two subsequent counterbalanced experimental visits (16‐hour tobacco deprivation vs. ad libitum smoking), self‐report assessments of various tobacco withdrawal symptom domains (Brief‐QSU, WSWS, POMS, SHAPS, and CIS) and a behavioral smoking lapse analogue task were measured.
FINDINGS
Adjusted models demonstrated that greater frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination was associated with larger deprivation‐induced increases in acute urges to smoke to alleviate negative mood, several negative mood states, and subjective cognitive functioning—effect sizes were small in magnitude (βs=.09‐.13; ps<.02). Data were inconclusive for associations between perceived exposure to discrimination and deprivation‐induced changes in cravings, urges to smoke for pleasure, positive mood reduction, other symptoms, or smoking reinstatement behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
Frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination appears to be modestly associated with increased severity of some deprivation‐induced tobacco withdrawal symptoms in African American smokers.