Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 3 Toma Cozma Street, Iasi, Romania.
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2024 Sep 16;19(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s13011-024-00623-9.
Previous research has investigated the association between attachment styles and smoking behaviors, indicating a positive association of insecure attachment styles with nicotine dependence. However, these links were mostly explored in adolescent and student samples. Moreover, the explanatory mechanisms and the variables influencing the strength of this relationship remained understudied. In this context, the present study aims to: (1) examine the associations between attachment anxiety, avoidance, and nicotine dependence; (2) investigate the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and metacognitions about smoking; and (3) test the moderating roles of psychological capital and type of tobacco product used by the participants.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 447 participants who reported smoking. The age range of participants was 18 to 64 (M = 26.76; 59.7% women). All participants have completed five questionnaires measuring nicotine dependence, adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, metacognitions about smoking, and psychological capital. They also reported the type of tobacco product commonly used: classic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or heated tobacco products.
Our findings show that the direct link between insecure attachment and nicotine dependence is rather inconsistent. However, it was mediated by the metacognitions about smoking. Psychological capital can act as a protective factor against the effects of attachment on nicotine dependence, especially for those using alternative tobacco products alongside classic cigarettes.
The findings highlight the possibility of developing better-tailored interventions and treatments to discourage smoking and increase smoking cessation. These should focus on eliminating the dysfunctional beliefs related to the metacognitions about smoking and on improving the levels of psychological capital. In addition, targeting attachment insecurities in early adolescence can also function as a mean to prevent smoking.
先前的研究调查了依恋风格与吸烟行为之间的关联，表明不安全的依恋风格与尼古丁依赖呈正相关。然而，这些关联大多在青少年和学生样本中进行了探索。此外，解释这些关联的机制以及影响这种关系强度的变量仍未得到充分研究。在这种情况下，本研究旨在：（1）检验依恋焦虑、回避与尼古丁依赖之间的关联；（2）调查情绪调节障碍和吸烟元认知的中介作用；（3）检验心理资本和参与者使用的烟草制品类型的调节作用。
本横断面研究以方便抽样的方式招募了 447 名报告吸烟的参与者。参与者的年龄范围为 18 至 64 岁（M=26.76；59.7%为女性）。所有参与者都完成了五个问卷，用于测量尼古丁依赖、成人依恋、情绪调节障碍、吸烟元认知和心理资本。他们还报告了通常使用的烟草制品类型：传统香烟、电子烟或加热烟草制品。
我们的研究结果表明，不安全依恋与尼古丁依赖之间的直接关联并不一致。然而，这种关联是通过吸烟元认知来介导的。心理资本可以作为保护因素，减轻依恋对尼古丁依赖的影响，特别是对于那些同时使用传统香烟和替代烟草制品的人。
研究结果强调了开发更有针对性的干预措施和治疗方法的可能性，以阻止吸烟和增加戒烟率。这些方法应侧重于消除与吸烟元认知相关的功能失调信念，并提高心理资本水平。此外，在青少年早期针对依恋不安全感也可以作为预防吸烟的一种手段。
