What Increases Smokers’ Stress? Degree of Nicotine Dependence and Motivation to Quit Smoking in People After Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) represents one of the major causes of hospitalization in cardiology departments, while tobacco smoking remains a significant public health challenge in Europe. Therefore, there is a pressing need to study this phenomenon in order to undertake preventive actions and thereby reduce the number of people smoking tobacco and, consequently reducing the rate of morbidity and disease. This study aims to assess the factors that increase stress and examine the strategies for coping with stress, nicotine addiction, and the motivation to quit smoking among patients after myocardial infarction. Methods: We analyzed 100 post-MI patients using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Schneider Smoking Cessation Motivation Test, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the Mini-COPE questionnaire. Results: A sense of helplessness emerged as the primary stress trigger (p = 0.012), with job loss, workplace issues, illness, family death, and relationship problems (p < 0.001) as key stressors. Post-MI patients showed a high degree of smoking cessation motivation, this was enhanced by limited cigarette access and social support. Patients primarily used self-distraction and behavioral disengagement (p < 0.001) as coping mechanisms. A higher degree of nicotine tolerance (rho = −0.355; p < 0.00) and increased stress frequency (rho = −0.169; p = 0.093) correlated negatively with cessation motivation. Conclusions: Post-MI patients demonstrate significant stress-related helplessness, particularly within the professional, family, and relationship domains. The prevalence of coping mechanisms centred around avoidance suggests the need for targeted psychological interventions in this population.