Clinical and Psychosocial Correlates of Cigarette Smoking in Psychiatric Inpatients
Salvatore Sarubbi, Monica Migliorati, Elena Rogante, Isabella Berardelli, Anna Comparelli, Denise Erbuto, Marco Innamorati, Maurizio PompiliBackground:
Tobacco smoking is an important issue due to its high prevalence in the general population and for its health consequences. Smoking is also frequently associated with mental disorders, with more severe clinical conditions and negative psychosocial outcomes.
Objectives:
The present study investigated the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of cigarette smoking among psychiatric inpatients.
Design:
Cross-sectional, observational study.
Methods:
The sample included 408 inpatients, assessed for sociodemographic variables, psychiatric diagnoses, age at illness onset, previous psychiatric hospitalizations, and risk of suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Participants were divided into 2 groups: smokers and non-smokers, and groups were compared for the variables investigated. Then, the variables associated with smoking status were entered into a logistic regression model.
Results:
About 65% of participants were smokers. Smoking patients had an earlier onset of the disorder, a higher frequency of previous hospitalizations, and were more frequently single and unemployed. In addition, smokers showed higher rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD), suicidal ideation, and NSSI. In the logistic regression model (Nagelkerke
Conclusions:
Our results show a strong association between cigarette smoking and indicators of clinical and psychosocial vulnerability in psychiatric inpatients, highlighting the need for systematic assessment of smoking habits and tailored interventions, including smoking cessation strategies.