The Impact of psychological factors, depression, and anxiety on tobacco abuse in Primary Health Care adults: A Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Smoking is a growing public health issue that has a negative influence on social and psychological well-being. The presence of certain personal factors on health-promoting behavior influences mental well-being and less dependence on tobacco in the population. We aimed to explore the relationship between tobacco dependency, the degree of severity of anxious and depressive symptoms, and certain related personal characteristics and adult health behavior. This study includes 391 participants of 35– 74 years old from the lists of the primary health care centers located in Aragón (Spain). Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, multivariate and mediation analysis. The primary variable was tobacco consumption, evaluated qualitatively (presence or absence) and quantitatively, as consumption measured through the number of cigarettes. High patient activation and health literacy were predictors of having a lower risk of being a smoker and lower daily cigarette consumption. However, being single and having more severe depressive symptoms were significantly higher predictors of smoking and higher daily cigarette consumption. The associations between the presence of tobacco dependence and the constructs of health literacy and patient activation, mediated by depression, were significant. The severity of depressive and anxious symptoms and personal factors are related to tobacco dependence. These correlations must be considered while developing particular preventative efforts to reduce population smoking rates.