Gender Analysis of Stress and Smoking Behavior: A Survey of Young Adults in Japan

Ayuka Yokoyama (), Yuka Iwata, Nanami Oe and Etsuko Tadaka ()
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Ayuka Yokoyama: Department of Nursing Informatics, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo 104-0044, Japan
Yuka Iwata: Department of Community Health Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
Nanami Oe: Department of Community and Public Health Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
Etsuko Tadaka: Department of Community and Public Health Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-10

Abstract: The global tobacco epidemic, claiming over 8 million lives annually, constitutes a formidable public health threat. Fatalities arise from both direct tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking prevalence, notably in Japan, varies across age groups with distinct patterns indicating higher rates among those aged 40 years and above. Persistent concerns surround the significance of smoking behavior in individuals aged 20 to 30 years, given the potential for early adulthood behavior to contribute to long-term health impacts. The emergence of heated tobacco products adds complexity with a substantial percentage of individuals aged 20 to 30 years using these alternatives. This study analyzed data from 15,333 individuals aged 20 to 39 years, collected through Japan’s “Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2017”. Compliant with the Japan Statistics Act, a secondary analysis employed multivariate logistic analysis to examine concerns and stress sources by sex and smoking behavior, adjusting for various variables. As a result, no statistically significant associations were found between smoking in men and concerns or stress. However, in women who smoked, significant associations were observed between smoking and specific stressors, such as work-related concerns, financial stress, and stress from a lack of personal free time. This study emphasizes the necessity of considering gender differences and social backgrounds in designing targeted smoking-prevention programs, aiming to enhance overall health longevity and comprehensively reduce lifelong smoking rates in this demographic.

Keywords: gender; stressors; smoking behavior; young adults; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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