Smokers' thoughts and worries: a study using ecological momentary assessment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate smokers' thoughts and worries about their smoking behavior. Researchers have sometimes asked smokers to make such self-assessments but typically using retrospective summary judgments.


METHODS
Using ecological momentary assessment, community and student smokers reported five times daily during two separate 1-week intervals.


METHODS
Smokers reported their thoughts about smoking, worries about smoking, and level of contemplation to quit smoking.


RESULTS
Smokers reported thinking negatively about their smoking 26.8% of the time they had a cigarette. The most frequent thoughts reported by smokers related to immediate reinforcement of smoking (e.g., "How I smell like cigarettes"). However, smokers reported more intense worry about thoughts related to health concerns (e.g., "Symptoms I'm having because of smoking"). The occurrence of negative thoughts was significantly and positively related to contemplation about quitting, worry about smoking, and risk perceptions. Finally, self-reported worry intensity was more strongly related to contemplation of quitting than negative thought occurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that thoughts about smoking (i.e., cognitions) and feelings about smoking (i.e., worry) are loosely connected and it is feelings rather than cognitions that are most related to contemplation to quit.
Köblitz
Amber R
AR
Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, ND, USA.
Magnan
Renee E
RE
McCaul
Kevin D
KD
O'Neill
H Katherine
HK
Crosby
Ross
R
Dillard
Amanda J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult