Effects of a Body Image: Challenge on Smoking Motivation Among College Females
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2008
Keywords
tobacco smoking, weight concerns, body dissatisfaction, cue reactivity, women, college students, motivation
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.27.3(Suppl.).S243
Abstract
Objective: Previous correlational and quasi-experimental research has established that weight concerns and negative body image are associated with tobacco smoking, cessation, and relapse, particularly among young women. This study examined the causal influence of body image upon smoking motivation by merging methodologies from the addiction and body image literatures. Design: Using a cue-reactivity paradigm, the study tested whether an experimental manipulation designed to challenge women's body image--specifically, their weight dissatisfaction--influenced their motivation to smoke. Female college smokers (N = 62) were included in a 2 × 2 factorial, within-subjects design (body image cues × smoking cues). Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported urge to smoke was the primary dependent measure, with skin conductance as a secondary measure. Results: As hypothesized, the presentation of smoking images and thin model images produced greater urges to smoke than control images. Additionally, trait weight concerns moderated the effect of the body image manipulation such that those women with greater weight concerns produced greater craving to the thin model image (when smoking cues were not present). Conclusion: These findings provide initial evidence that situational challenges to body image are causally related to smoking motivation.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Health Psychology, v. 27, suppl. 3, p. S243-S251
Scholar Commons Citation
Lopez, Elena N.; Drobes, David J.; Thompson, Joel K.; and Brandon, Thomas H., "Effects of a Body Image: Challenge on Smoking Motivation Among College Females" (2008). Psychology Faculty Publications. 2222.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/2222
