Cultural Differences in Attitudes and Expectancies Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Smokers

Abstract

Cultural differences between 263 Hispanic and 150 non-Hispanic White smokers were studied. Differences were found in the antecedents of smoking (e.g., lower significance of smoking as relaxation for Hispanics), consequences of smoking (eg., Hispanics' concern for harming the health of their children), consequences of quitting (e.g., the Hispanic expectancy of providing a better example to their children by quitting), and in the generalized attitudes toward smoking. Gender differences were found in only one attitude measure, indicating that these attitudes and expectancies are moderated only to a minimal extent by gender differences in socialization. Where acculturation differences existed in the responses of Hispanics, the highly acculturated Hispanic respondents tended to provide responses that were more similar to those of the non-Hispanic Whites.