Does Quitting Smoking Affect Depressive Symptoms? A Longitudinal Study Based on Treatment-Seeking Smokers with a History of Depressive Episode

This study analyses changes in depressive symptomatology as a function of smoking status over time after a cognitive-behavioural intervention for smoking cessation among smokers with a history of depressive episode. The sample comprised 215 smokers with antecedents of depressive episode (Mage=45.03; 64.7% female). Depressive symptoms were assessed using BDI-II at baseline, end of intervention and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Depression was examined according to smoking status at 12-month follow-up: abstainers, relapsers and smokers. The linear mixed model showed a significant effect for time (F = 11.26,p <  .001) and for the interaction between smoking status and time (F = 9.11,p <  .001) in the variations in depression. Abstinent participants at 12 months experienced a reduction in depressive symptomatology. This change was significant when comparing abstainers to smokers and relapsers. The present study suggests an association between abstinence and reductions in depressiv e symptomatology for smokers with a history of depressive episode after an intervention for smoking cessation.

Source: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - May 6, 2024 Category: Addiction Source Type: research