Distress tolerance and smoking status: Differences between smokers, former smokers, and never smokers

Distress tolerance has been identified as an important predictor of smoking status, with smokers having lower levels of distress tolerance than never smokers. Other studies have linked higher distress tolerance to more successful smoking cessation. Few studies have evaluated these characteristics in former smokers. This study compared scores on both objective and subjective measures of distress tolerance across smokers, former smokers, and never smokers. Eighty-six participants were recruited from the DC metro community (38 smokers, 27 never smokers, and 21 former smokers; 46.5% female). They completed the self-report Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) and a Mirror Tracing Task (MTPT) as well as measures of negative affect, nicotine dependence, and urge. While there were no significant differences between groups on measures of negative affect, urge, or the FDS, never smokers persisted significantly longer on the MTPT than either former smokers or current smokers. There was not a significant difference between smokers and former smokers. Treatment implications of these findings as well as implications for future research are discussed.