Fear of COVID-19 among nonsmokers and smokers/former smokers: Implications for health promotion practice

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0764

Keywords:

COVID-19, smoking, fear, anxiety, health promotions

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of COVID-19 may differ for individuals with compromised health and those with unhealthy behaviors, placing them at greater risk. Based on previous analysis of academic medical center faculty and staff, the authors predicted that workers who were smokers/previous smokers would express the greater fear of COVID-19 relative to nonsmokers.

Methods: The present study used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess fear among nonsmokers (n = 1,489) and smokers/previous smokers (n = 272) from a larger population of academic medical center members (N = 1,761). This study assessed nonsmokers’ and smokers/previous smokers’ demographic and background variables on Fear of COVID-19 scores.

Results: In this academic community, smokers/previous smokers had higher fear of COVID-19 scores than did nonsmokers (p < 0.05). Smokers/previous smokers differed from nonsmokers on three Fear of COVID-19 scale items (most afraid of COVID-19, fear of losing life, and physiological fear of COVID-19).

Discussion/conclusions: These results provide a better understanding of how fear of COVID-19 can differ based on one’s smoking status. These findings inform public health smoking cessation efforts aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality, both in response and secondary to COVID-19 exposure.

 

Author Biographies

Blake T. Hilton, PsyD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Brandt J. Wiskur, PhD

Department of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Michael W. Brand, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Julio I. Rojas, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Raina D. Leckie, LCSW

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Maria Trapp, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn, PhD

Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Published

02/28/2023

How to Cite

Hilton, PsyD, B. T., B. J. Wiskur, PhD, M. W. Brand, PhD, J. I. Rojas, PhD, R. D. Leckie, LCSW, M. Trapp, PhD, and K. G. Kuhn, PhD. “Fear of COVID-19 Among Nonsmokers and smokers/Former Smokers: Implications for Health Promotion Practice”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 21, no. 7, Feb. 2023, pp. 307-13, doi:10.5055/jem.0764.