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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

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01-10-2008 | Original Paper

Smoking Patterns within a Primary Care Sample of Resettled Bosnian Refugees

Authors: Terri L. Weaver, Aida Čajdrić, Erik R. Jackson

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 5/2008

Abstract

The interconnections among smoking status, severity of nicotine related physical dependence (NRPD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related physiological arousal and subjective health were explored within a sample of 66 resettled Bosnian refugees seeking primary healthcare services. Fifty-nine percent (n = 39/66) of the participants reported that they were current smokers and 44% (n = 29/66) indicated that they had smoked prior to the war. Both pre-war smoking and PTSD arousal independently predicted current smoking. In addition, total PTSD arousal and individual symptoms of sleep difficulties, irritability, concentration, and hypervigilance were significantly and positively associated with NRPD. Severity of PTSD arousal and age uniquely predicted NRPD. While poorer subjective health was significantly associated with positive current smoking status, neither poorer subjective health nor severity of PTSD arousal was significantly associated with interest in quitting/reducing smoking. Findings were discussed within the context of culture and stressor-related issues.

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Title: Smoking Patterns within a Primary Care Sample of Resettled Bosnian Refugees
Authors: Terri L. Weaver
Aida Čajdrić
Erik R. Jackson
Publication date: 01-10-2008
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-007-9102-6

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