Stress Reactivity and Nicotine Addiction Among African American and White Smokers

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine racial differences in smoking behaviors and stress responses between African American and white male smokers.

Full Title of Study: “Biological Pathways in Stress Reactivity and Nicotine Addiction Among African American and White Smokers”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 31, 2024

Detailed Description

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality from lung cancer among adults in the US. Stress relief and smoking cessation is the best preventive strategy for reducing lung cancer risk and addressing racial disparities in outcomes. Despite this, racial differences are found among those that make quit attempts. Stress has been found to be related to smoking initiation, maintenance, and relapse. Yet, differences in stress responses have not been examined between African American and white smokers. Therefore, this study will examine racial differences in stress responses and smoking behaviors between African American and white male smokers

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Examining racial differences in acute stress responses
    • Time Frame: Within 1 month following baseline
    • Examine racial differences in acute stress responses using a validated psychological stress challenge called the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)
  • Examining changes in daily cortisol patterns according to race
    • Time Frame: Baseline, 4- and 8 weeks post Trier Social Stress Test laboratory visit
    • Examine racial differences in daily diurnal cortisol slopes to evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis dysregulation and acute stress
  • Examine changes in stress responses and smoking behaviors as it relates to social determinant factors
    • Time Frame: Baseline, 4- and 8-weeks post Trier Social Stress Test laboratory visit
    • Patients will be administered a survey using validated measures to examine socioeconomic, structural, and psychosocial stressors that impact daily stress and smoking behaviors

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • African American and white males – Between the ages of 18-75 years old – Smoke at least 5 to 10 cigarettes per day Exclusion Criteria:

  • Smokers who have a serious cognitive disorder – Have a personal history of lung cancer – Personal history of usage of illicit drug and alcohol abuse – Enrollment in a smoking cessation treatment program during the past 6 months – Current use of a nicotine replacement therapy – Have any positive responses on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) screener

Gender Eligibility: Male

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 75 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Collaborator
    • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Melanie Jefferson, Research Assistant Professor – Medical University of South Carolina
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Chanita Hughes-Halbert, PhD, Principal Investigator, University of Southern California
  • Overall Contact(s)
    • Gayenell S Magwood, PhD,RN, 843-792-0685, magwoodg@musc.edu

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