Prospective predictors of long-term abstinence versus relapse among smokers who quit as young adults.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify prospective predictors of long-term abstinence versus relapse among individuals who quit smoking as young adults.


METHODS
Participants from an ongoing longitudinal study of smoking who had quit for at least 1 year between the ages of 18 and 24 years (n=327) were divided into those who later reported not smoking for more than 5 years (long-term abstinence) or reported current smoking, defined as smoking at least monthly (relapse). Logistic regression was used to examine odds ratios (ORs) of prospective predictors of long-term abstinence versus relapse.


RESULTS
Overall, 67% of participants maintained long-term abstinence and 33% relapsed. The strongest predictor of avoiding relapse was marrying a nonsmoker (adjusted OR [AOR]=0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.03, 0.21). Other predictors included making 1 lifetime quit attempt (AOR=0.13; 95% CI=0.04, 0.44), having as a young adult only 1 parent who smoked (AOR=0.23; 95% CI=0.06, 0.93), and working in a completely smoke-free building (AOR=0.13; 95% CI=0.03, 0.58).


CONCLUSIONS
The factors related to smoking in the social environment played the largest role in predicting long-term abstinence versus relapse.
Macy
Jonathan T
JT
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. jtmacy@indiana.edu
Seo
Dong-Chul
DC
Chassin
Laurie
L
Presson
Clark C
CC
Sherman
Steven J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012380:Role; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012931:Social Environment