Monica Örtendahl

Perceived consequences among pregnant and non‐pregnant women of continuing or ceasing to smoke

To examine the perception of risk of smoking‐related psychological and social outcomes, and the effect of pregnancy and intention to stop smoking on the perceived risk.

Models based on value and probability in health improve shared decision making

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Diagnostic reasoning and treatment decisions are a key competence of doctors. A model based on values and probability provides a conceptual framework for clinical judgments and decisions, and also facilitates the integration of clinical and biomedical knowledge into a diagnostic decision. METHOD Both value and probability are usually estimated values in clinical decision making. Therefore, model assumptions and parameter estimates should be continually assessed against data, and models should be revised accordingly. Introducing parameter estimates for both value and probability, which usually pertain in clinical work, gives the model labelled subjective expected utility. Estimated values and probabilities are involved sequentially for every step in the decision-making process. RESULTS Introducing decision-analytic modelling gives a more complete picture of variables that influence the decisions carried out by the doctor and the patient. CONCLUSION A model revised for perceived values and probabilities by both the doctor and the patient could be used as a tool for engaging in a mutual and shared decision-making process in clinical work.

Use of Coping Techniques as a Predictor of Lapse When Quitting Smoking among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

We examined the number of lapses among pregnant and non-pregnant women when trying to quit smoking, number of coping techniques used, and the relationship between any lapse and usage of coping techniques. Forty women were followed over a two-week period. On day 14, the women rated how often eleven different coping techniques were used. One-fourth of the women lapsed every day. If non-pregnant, the odds ratio was eight times higher compared to being pregnant for any lapse during the period. Being pregnant gives a higher success rate in attempts to quit smoking.

Perception of Smoking‐Related Health Consequences among Pregnant and Non‐Pregnant Women

The objective was to examine the perception of smoking-related health consequences and its relationship to pregnancy and intent to quit. Over a two-week period, pregnant and non-pregnant women, intending and not intending to quit smoking, rated the probability for smoking-related health consequences to occur, given continuing to smoke and quitting smoking. Pregnant women who did not intend to quit smoking exhibited the lowest estimated probability for the smoking-related health consequences to occur if they continued smoking. For all women, there was a statistically significant estimated effect of quitting smoking. Renewed attention needs to be given to perceptions of health risks of smoking, especially among pregnant women.

Coping Mechanisms Actually and Hypothetically Used by Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Quitting Smoking

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article was to investigate how pregnant and non-pregnant women use various coping techniques when attempting to refrain from smoking. Eighty women with subgroups formed by the variables of pregnant/not pregnant and quitting/not quitting smoking were studied over a 2-week period. The general strategy was to follow smokers who had stated an intention to quit smoking. Smokers, pregnant and non-pregnant, who did not intend to quit were also followed with respect to the coping techniques they would hypothetically be using if they were trying to quit. Pregnant women used coping strategies more often than non-pregnant women. Differences found between pregnant and non-pregnant women were evenly distributed for behavioral and cognitive methods. The goal of becoming a non-smoker, especially during pregnancy, needs to be addressed to include psychological and physical factors. In these efforts, the framework introduced by the study involving a time-related approach could be useful.

Estimated time for occurrence of smoking-related consequences among pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Objectives: To study time estimates by women smokers for when smoking-related consequences will occur given continuing or quitting smoking. The relationship of these estimates to pregnancy and intent to quit smoking was also investigated. Methods: Over a two-week period, eighty women, selected to constitute four subgroups formed by pregnant vs. non-pregnant and trying vs. not trying to quit smoking, rated times at which they would expect smoking-related consequences to occur given continuing or quitting smoking. Results: Somatic health consequences were estimated to occur later than consequences related to mood and social relations. All consequences were estimated to occur later given quitting smoking. Pregnancy had an effect on the estimated time that consequences would occur, with pregnant women estimating earlier occurrence of consequences related to mood and social relations than non-pregnant women did. Conclusion: Health messages should stress consequences for somatic health in quitting smoking, since outcomes later in time might have too low a value to exert a positive effect on decisions to quit smoking.

Judgments of Risk for Consequences of Continuing or Quitting Smoking : A Study of Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women Intending and Not Intending to Quit

Objectives: To study perceived smoking-related consequences of continuing and of quitting smoking. Methods: Eighty women, with subgroups formed by pregnant/nonpregnant women and trying/not trying to quit smoking, performed judgments of the probability for consequences to occur given the conditions of continuing or quitting smoking. Results: For both the pregnant and nonpregnant women, the probability that consequences will occur was rated as less likely given the condition of quitting smoking. The condition of quitting had its greatest effect on the probability that somatic consequences would occur. Conclusion: Consequences of smoking for somatic health should be stressed in health promotion, especially to pregnant women.

Predicting lapse when stopping smoking among pregnant and non-pregnant women

Summary This study aimed to investigate factors predicting lapse among pregnant and non-pregnant women when trying to stop smoking. A total of 40 women, pregnant and non-pregnant, were investigated over a 2-week period when trying to stop smoking. One-quarter of the women lapsed every day. Not being pregnant was a significant predictor for the occurrence of any lapse during the time period, whereas age, number of years of smoking, number of earlier attempts to stop smoking, and number of cigarettes smoked per day did not predict lapse. There was a four times higher risk for lapse in non-pregnant compared with pregnant women. Being pregnant gives an opportunity to help stop smoking with a considerably lower risk of lapse compared with non-pregnant women.

Factors Affecting Continuation of Smoking by Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to test a framework based upon the value and the probability of outcomes related to smoking. Over a 2-week period, 80 women were asked to perform judgments of value and probability of the outcome for smoking-related consequences. Subgroups were formed by the two variables of pregnancy and intent to quit smoking. Judgments were performed given the conditions of quitting and not quitting smoking. The intent to quit or not quit smoking had an impact on expected utility of smoking. Moreover, there was a difference between expected utility given the conditions of not quitting smoking and quitting smoking. A framework based upon values and beliefs appears to be useful in describing the addictive behavior of smoking and can be applied in developing smoking-cessation education.

Quitting smoking is perceived to have an effect on somatic health among pregnant and non-pregnant women.

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