Exposure to Secondhand Smoke at Home and Psychological Distress among College Students in China: The Role of Parental Attachment

This study examined the link between home SHS exposure and psychological distress among college students in China. Between July and September of 2020, 18-25-year-old students in three Chinese universities were invited to complete an online survey. Data from 872 respondents (mean age = 20.28) were analyzed. Psychological distress was assessed by the 10-item Kessler Scale. Home SHS exposure was assessed by the presence of smoking household members, hours of exposure, and exposure to the number of cigarettes smoked. Maternal and paternal attachment were assessed by the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. Pairwise comparisons of sample characteristics were performed across never-smokers, triers (smoked one or two puffs), and smokers. Generalized linear regression models were constructed to assess the association. More smokers were exposed to home SHS or engaged in ever alcohol and other drug use than never-smokers. In never-smokers, exposure for <1 h/day or >= 3 h/day, or to 6-10 cigarettes/day was associated with increased psychological distress, but they were nullified after adjusting for parental attachment. In smokers, exposure to 6-10 cigarettes/day was associated with decreased psychological distress even after adjusting for parental attachment. Home SHS exposure is a risk factor for psychological wellbeing in never-smokers, the association with smokers warrants further study.