The parent-child dyad and risk perceptions among parents who quit smoking

BACKGROUND: Most parental smokers are deeply invested in their child's health, but it is unknown what factors influence parent risk perceptions of the effects of smoking on their child's health and benefits to the child of cessation.

PURPOSE: To explore differences in former versus current smokers' beliefs about harm of continuing to smoke, benefits of quitting, and how much smoking interferes with their parenting.

METHODS: As part of a cluster RCT to increase tobacco control in the pediatric setting, we analyzed data collected at the ten control arm practices for 24 months starting in May 2010; a cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted in 2013. Parents were asked about smoking status and perceived harm, benefit, and well-being related to smoking behaviors.

RESULTS: Of the 981 enrolled smoking parents, 710 (72.4%) were contacted at 12 months. The odds of having successfully quit at 12 months was 4.12 times more likely (95% CI=1.57, 10.8) for parents who believed that quitting will benefit their children; 1.68 times more likely (95% CI=1.13, 2.51) for parents with more than a high school education; and 1.74 times greater (95% CI=1.13, 2.68) for parents with children under age 3 years. Another factor associated with having successfully quit was a prior quit attempt.

CONCLUSIONS: Providers' smoking-cessation advice and support should begin early and underscore how cessation will benefit the health and well-being of patients' children. Additionally, parents who have recently attempted to quit may be particularly primed for another attempt.