Examining nicotine craving during abstinence among adolescent smokers: the roles of general perceived stress and temptation-coping strategies

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of general perceived stress and temptation-coping strategies on the occurrence of nicotine craving among 125 daily-smoking adolescents. General perceived stress was measured at baseline. Craving was assessed at baseline and directly after a 24-hour period of abstinence. After the period of abstinence, respondents also reported the temptation-coping strategies they used during abstinence. The use of cognitive and behavioural temptation-coping strategies was associated with less craving during abstinence. Stress interacted with the use of temptation-coping strategies. Cognitive and behavioural temptation-coping strategies can help adolescents deal with craving during abstinence from smoking, especially when general stress levels are high.