Smoking behaviour in lower and higher socio-economic status groups: exploring social support and identity factors

Abstract

Background: Smoking is more prevalent and persistent among lower than higher SES groups. We examined the role of social support and identity processes within this relationship between SES and smoking. Methods: Online longitudinal study among 339 lower, middle and higher SES daily smokers. Expected and desired social support for quitting, identity factors (smoker, quitter and non-smoker self- and group-identity) and intentions and attempts to quit were measured. Findings: Lower SES smokers expected to receive more negative and practical support than higher SES smokers. Smokers from all SES backgrounds wished to receive positive support. Also, controlled for other important influences, stronger quitting self-identity and non-smoker group-identity predicted stronger intentions to quit, and stronger quitting self-identity predicted a higher likelihood of quit attempts six months later. Discussion: The results show the importance of the ‘possible self’ as a quitter or non-smoker for smoking cessation. Future research should explore how the social environment of smokers who intend to quit can be encouraged to provide the type of social support that smokers find helpful, and how identification with quitting and non-smokers may be strengthened.