The interconnections among smoking status, severity of nicotine related physical dependence (NRPD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related physiological arousal and subjective health were explored within a sample of 66 resettled Bosnian refugees seeking primary healthcare services. Fifty-nine percent (n = 39/66) of the participants reported that they were current smokers and 44% (n = 29/66) indicated that they had smoked prior to the war. Both pre-war smoking and PTSD arousal independently predicted current smoking. In addition, total PTSD arousal and individual symptoms of sleep difficulties, irritability, concentration, and hypervigilance were significantly and positively associated with NRPD. Severity of PTSD arousal and age uniquely predicted NRPD. While poorer subjective health was significantly associated with positive current smoking status, neither poorer subjective health nor severity of PTSD arousal was significantly associated with interest in quitting/reducing smoking. Findings were discussed within the context of culture and stressor-related issues. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Health posttraumatic stress disorder Refugees Tobacco smoking

self disclosure primary medical care refugee Midwestern United States human Refugees middle aged war priority journal Bosnia and Herzegovina Health Surveys nicotine Urban Health Bosnia-Herzegovina smoking cessation Humans smoking sleep disorder male female prediction tobacco dependence Socioeconomic Factors psychological rating scale stress cultural factor medical information prevalence Article major clinical study adult health care access posttraumatic stress disorder irritability Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic disease severity concentration loss disease association risk reduction alertness attitude to health primary health care Culture