Smoking Processes, Panic, and Depressive Symptoms Among Treatment-Seeking Smokers

Abstract

Objectives: The present study evaluated the relative contribution of panic and depressive symptoms in relation to past cessation difficulties and smoking motives among treatment-seeking daily smokers. Methods: The sample included 392 treatment-seeking daily smokers (47.07% female; M_age = 35.48; SD = 13.56), who reported smoking an average of 10 or more cigarettes daily for at least one year. Results: Findings indicated that panic and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with quit problems as well as addictive and negative affect motives for smoking. However, depressive symptoms were not associated with habitual smoking motives. Conclusions: Differential patterns of associations with smoking-based processes imply that although panic and depression are related, there are important distinctions. Such data highlight the need for additional research to examine the putative role of panic and depressive symptoms in relation to smoking behaviors to further elucidate the mechanisms through which panic, depression, and smoking impact one another.

Keywords :

• Smoking
• anxiety
• panic
• depression
• cigarettes
• tobacco
• motives

THE AUTHORS

Dawn W. Foster is an Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry Department at Yale University's School of Medicine. Her work focuses on social psychological principles related to substance misuse.

Kirsten J. Langdon is a postdoctoral research fellow in the National Center for PTSD-Women's Health Sciences Division at the VA Boston Healthcare System and teaching fellow at Boston University School of Medicine. Her work focuses on identifying cognitive and affective mechanisms underlying anxiety-substance use comorbidity.

Norman B. Schmidt is Distinguished Research Professor and Director of the Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic in the Department of Psychology at Florida State University. His work focuses on the nature and treatment of anxiety and related disorders.

Michael J. Zvolensky is the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Anxiety and Health Research Laboratory and Substance Use Treatment Clinic (AHRL-SUTC) at the University of Houston (UH) and a research Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center at The University of Texas.

GLOSSARY

• Anxiety: A future-oriented mood state of inner turmoil and unease associated with preparing for possible negative events.

• Depressive symptoms: Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities which can affect functioning in domains including social, educational, and occupational realms.

• Negative affect: Involving the experience of negative emotions including fear, anger, nervousness, and guilt.

• Panic: Unexpected or recurring symptoms including heart palpitations, feelings of choking, shortness of breath, and chest pain or discomfort.