Psychosocial Correlates of Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms among Help-Seeking Hispanic Smokers

Objectives: Research has demonstrated robust associations between perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and cigarette smoking. The extent to which these findings from the general population generalize to Hispanic smokers is unknown. The present study examined (a) correlates of perceived stress and depressive symptoms among help-seeking Hispanic smokers and (b) whether maladaptive coping and social support were related to stress and depressive symptoms. Design: Hispanic smokers (N=123) enrolled in an RCT completed demographic and smoking history, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and maladaptive coping measures. Results: Bivariate associations indicated that perceived stress was positively correlated with depressive symptoms and maladaptive coping, and inversely related to perceived social support. These relationships were maintained in multiple regression analyses. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with nicotine dependence, perceived stress, and maladaptive coping and inversely related to education and perceived social support. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated independent associations between depressive symptoms and maladaptive coping, perceived stress, and education, but not perceived social support or nicotine dependence. Conclusions: These findings suggest that stress and depression among Hispanics are related to factors known to impact cessation. Recommendations for targeted interventions are discussed.