Addiction Research and Theory
Volume 22, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 229-238

Disengagement beliefs in South Asian immigrant smokeless tobacco users: A qualitative study (Article)

Banerjee S.C.* , Ostroff J.S. , D'Agostino T.A. , Bari S. , Khera M. , Acharya S. , Gany F.
  • a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • b Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • d Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • e Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • f Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
  • g Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States

Abstract

Gutka and tambaku paan (smokeless tobacco products used by South Asian immigrants) are carcinogenic to humans (and perceived as such), yet, one-fourth of South Asian immigrants report current use. This study examined disengagement beliefs that perpetuate gutka/tambaku paan use among South Asians despite awareness of health risks. Six focus groups were conducted with immigrant South Asian adult gutka/tambaku paan users, in Gujarati, Bengali and Urdu languages in New York, USA. Participants included 39 South Asian adults residing in the New York City Metropolitan area, current (a minimum of weekly gutka or tambaku paan use in the last 12 months) or former (regular use prior to past 12 months) gutka or tambaku paan users and self-reported spoken fluency in Gujarati, Urdu or Bengali languages. Participants identified many health risks associated with gutka/tambaku paan use including locked jaw, high blood pressure and cancer. Five themes of disengagement beliefs emerged: (a) skepticism about the gutka/tambaku paan-cancer link, (b) perceived invulnerability to harm, (c) compensatory beliefs, (d) faith-based rationalization and (e) acknowledgment of addiction. To promote smokeless tobacco cessation among South Asians, interventions to counter disengagement beliefs and heighten the discomfort between the dissonant cognitions represent a promising area warranting further attention. Copyright © 2014 Informa UK Ltd.

Author Keywords

Paan Gutka Smokeless tobacco Disengagement beliefs Cognitive dissonance South Asians

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84900419204&doi=10.3109%2f16066359.2013.825718&partnerID=40&md5=baeebf8870660528ba56c78e9ecb9524
DOI: 10.3109/16066359.2013.825718
ISSN: 16066359
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English