LONG-TERM ASSOCIATIONS OF HELPFUL AND HARMFUL SPOUSAL BEHAVIORS WITH SMOKING CESSATION

It has repeatedly been demonstrated that increased levels of social su pport are positively associated with a smokers likelihood of achieving abstinence. It remains unclear, however, what specific support behavi ors influence smoking cessation. This study explores the effects of su pportive end undermining behaviors experienced by subjects (N = 624) i n the context of a romantic/marital relationship on a number of smokin g cessation outcomes. The associations of social support behaviors wit h one-, two-, and three-year abstinence and recycling and making quit attempts at 6, 12, 24, and 34 months were examined. Frequencies of bot h supportive and undermining behaviors predicted the dependent variabl es under study. Subjects whose spouses demonstrated fewer undermining behaviors were more likely to be successful continuous abstainers, whe reas participants' recycling and making quit attempts seemed to be bes t predicted by a greater frequency of supportive behaviors. Initial su ccess at cessation might be associated with increased supportive behav iors by a spouse, whereas lower rates of undermining behaviors might b e associated with long-term maintenance. Long-term tailored feedback t o spouses of smokers wanting to quit might be helpful.