Perceived well-being of persons quitting smoking.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived well-being of persons who are smokers, nonsmokers, or are quitting smoking. The sample included 74 nonsmokers, 74 smokers, and 92 self-defined quitters. Subjects' well-being was examined controlling for the effects of daily hassles and selected demographic differences. Measures of well-being included general health, morale, physical, and psychological symptoms. Scores for intensity of daily hassles were significantly higher, and well-being scores lower, for persons quitting smoking compared to smokers and nonsmokers. Further, even after controlling for the effects of daily hassles on well-being, persons quitting smoking had significantly lower levels of well-being than did smokers or nonsmokers.