Beyond the Biological Model: Interpersonal Factors Motivating Adults with Schizophrenia to Smoke Cigarettes
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Authors
Hubbard, Catherine May
Issue Date
2011
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Research on the relationship between schizophrenia and cigarette smoking has mainly focused on the role of cigarettes in self-medicating symptoms of schizophrenia and the side effects of antipsychotic medication (Esterberg & Compton, 2005; Forchuck et al., 2002; McCloughen, 2003). This study aimed to broaden the scope of inquiry to explore the psychological and interpersonal factors, in addition to biological, that motivate individuals with schizophrenia to smoke cigarettes. A list of interview questions to address how cigarette smoking was helpful and not helpful in day-to-day living and daily social interactions of individuals with schizophrenia was created, and qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the data obtained. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals with schizophrenia who attended the same-day treatment program and were selected through a purposive convenience sample. This study showed that cigarette smoking served a multitude of functions for participants. Participants were primarily motivated to smoke cigarettes to manage their addiction to nicotine, such as to reduce cravings for and symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine. Nicotine addiction serves a number of functions. Smoking served the primary function of regulating positive symptoms of schizophrenia (i.e., auditory hallucinations) as well as co-morbid mental health conditions and negative symptoms of schizophrenia..