Benefits and barriers to smoking cessation in the Mexican American population

Abstract

A descriptive correlational study investigated the relationship between level of acculturation, selected demographic factors, and the benefits and barriers to smoking cessation. Thirty adult Mexican Americans who smoked, were in the process of stopping to smoke, or had already stopped smoking, comprised the convenience sample. Three questionnaires, Acculturation Rating Scale for l\11exican Americans, Benefits/Barriers Scale, and a Demographics Questionnaire were used. A significant negative correlation was found between the level of acculturation and the benefits to smoking cessation. A significant positive correlation was found between the barrier factor group of realism and level of acculturation. No other significant correlations were found between age, gender, and the number of attempts to stop smoking with the benefits or barriers to smoking cessation. The findings may be useful in planning community health nursing culturally sensitive smoking cessation programs.