The Relationship Between Intolerance for Smoking Abstinence and Smoking Characteristics Among Adults with HIV

Background Despite the high prevalence of cigarette smoking among people with HIV (PWH), evaluation of affective mechanisms related to smoking is underdeveloped. We examined the relationship between self-reported intolerance for smoking abstinence and smoking behaviors among PWH.Methods Cross-sectional data from 117 adults with HIV and current smoking (Mage = 49.0, SD = 11.0; 51.3% male, 56.3% Black race) in the Bronx, New York, were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) evaluated the structure of the Intolerance for Smoking Abstinence Questionnaire (IDQ-S). Pearson and Spearman tests examined relationships of the IDQ-S total score and subscales (IDQ-W, Withdrawal Intolerance; IDQ-C, Lack of Cognitive Coping; IDQ-P, Pain Intolerance) with smoking variables.Results The IDQ-S total scale and subscales demonstrated good internal consistency and validity. Greater smoking abstinence intolerance, withdrawal-specific intolerance, and pain-specific intolerance were related to greater cigarette dependence and cigarettes per day (CPD), and greater smoking abstinence intolerance was associated with lower quit confidence (ps < 0.01). Lack of cognitive coping was negatively correlated with cigarette dependence and CPD (ps < 0.05).Conclusions Greater smoking abstinence intolerance was associated with greater cigarette dependence, greater CPD, and lower quit confidence among PWH. The IDQ may be a useful tool to help optimize tobacco treatments for PWH.