Investigation of the interaction between cigarette addiction, manual dependence and psychological well-being in elderly individuals: A sectional study in Iraq

This cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of 201 elderly individuals residing in Iraq, exploring the ramifications of tobacco dependency on manual dexterity and psychological health. The sample comprised 56.2% males and 43.8% females, with an average age of 68.33 years. Methodological procedures involved Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses to assess the impact of smoking addiction on hand skills. The findings indicated a statistically significant detriment to manual dexterity among smokers, where the correlation coefficient for the dominant hand was r = 0.506 (p < 0.001), and for the non-dominant hand, r = 0.521 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, regression analyses revealed an R2 value of 30% for the dominant hand and 38.6% for the non-dominant hand. Results consistently demonstrated a substantial decline in manual skills and a deterioration in the psychological health condition in elderly smokers, with an increase in nicotine addiction correlating to diminished hand performance and heightened psychological distress. Moreover, proficiency in hand skills positively influenced the levels of psychological well-being and quality of life in the elderly. The implications of these findings underscore the necessity for tailored smoking cessation programs for the elderly, alongside health interventions that consider the unique needs of this population. Limitations of the study include the cross-sectional design precluding causal inferences and limited geographic scope. Future research should replicate these findings in diverse locales and undertake longitudinal studies to examine the enduring effects of smoking cessation on the motor skills and psychological health of the elderly.