Health risk behaviors in smoking and non-smoking young women.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the health, health risk behaviors and stress levels of college female smokers and non-smokers.


METHODS
Forty-one college women, ages 18-21 years, participated in an interview and completed a health survey and the Derogatis Stress Profile.


CONCLUSIONS
The smokers perceived themselves to be more overweight (Chi square, p = < .001). Smokers used more marijuana (Chi square, p = < .003) and had higher scores on depression [t (39) = 2.29, p = .028], hostility [t (39) = 2.562, p = .014] and perceived quality of health [t (39) = 2.72, p = .01]. In the interview, smokers identified social situations involving alcohol as the time they would most likely smoke. Smokers did not smoke when ill and all were interested in quitting. The non-smoking women support smoking cessation for their peers.


CONCLUSIONS
College alcohol and substance use prevention and treatment programs should address tobacco cessation. The majority of college women are not smokers and could be resources to encourage smoking cessation among their peers. Smoking cessation at this age has dramatic implications for future health.
Kelley
Frances J
FJ
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies, Washington, DC, USA. kelleyj@geogetown.edu
Thomas
Sue Ann
SA
Friedmann
Erika
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*