EMPLOYEE STRESS LEVELS AND THE INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSITESMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM

This study examines the nature and extent of the relationship between stress levels and intentions to participate in a worksite smoking cess ation program among male current smokers (n = 220) employed in an auto mobile manufacturing plant. A plantwide survey was conducted which mea sured job stress, nonjob stress, smoking behavior, and intent to parti cipate. The results of polychotomous logistic regressions suggest that among the current smokers in this plant, job and nonjob stress were p ositively associated with workers' intentions to participate in a work site smoking cessation program. Thus, contrary to the popular notion t hat stress diminishes the motivation to quit, employees under high lev els of stress may be most receptive to educational interventions inten ded to persuade smokers to commit to quitting.