Perceived health moderates the association between smoking rate and panic vulnerability variables among daily smokers

Abstract

Our aim in this investigation was to evaluate the moderating role of perceived health in the relation between smoking rate and panic variables in a community-based sample of 220 daily smokers (98 females; M(age)=23.76 years, SD=8.76). As hypothesized, the interaction between smoking and perceived health incrementally predicted anxiety sensitivity (fear of anxiety) and anxious arousal symptoms, but not depressive symptoms. Individuals who had higher smoking rates and lower perceived health reported higher levels of anxiety sensitivity and anxious arousal, but not depressive symptoms. The primary implication of these findings is that there may be segments of the cigarette smoking population who are at relatively greater risk for anxiety symptoms and fear of bodily sensations by virtue of individual differences in perceived health. The identification of such moderating effects is clinically important, because it helps to refine our understanding of complex associations between drug behavior and panic vulnerability.

Applying the Tripartite Model of Anxiety and Depression to Cigarette Smoking: An Integrative Review

“…Except for two investigations demonstrating moderately sized significant associations (Johnson et al, 2009, r = .32;Zvolensky, Bernstein, et al, 2007 , r = .30), most studies suggest that there is not a significant relationship between cigarettes per day and AA McLeish et al, 2006;Zvolensky, Johnson, et al, 2009;Zvolensky et al, 2003) or the fear of experiencing AA symptoms (Zvolensky et al, 2004. Similarly, studies have found no relationship between years as a smoker and AA Zvolensky, Johnson, et al, 2009).…”

“…A couple of studies found a positive association between anhedonia and cigarettes per day McLeish, Zvolensky, Bonn-Miller, & Bernstein, 2006) and years as a smoker ; however, the strength of these relationships is generally small (rs ≤ .18). Similarly, Wills, Sandy, Shinar, and Yaegar (1999) found that lower PA was associated with higher levels of smoking across all grades 7th through 10th and greater increases in smoking over time.…”

Negative affectivity in smokers applying to smoking cessation clinics: a case-control study

“…[40,41] Other authors have referred to genetic factors, [42] whereas [43] proposed that smokers perceive their health to be poor, causing it to be associated with higher levels of anxiety sensitivity and anxious arousal.…”

Distinctiveness of Perceived Health in Panic Disorder and Relation to Panic Disorder Severity

“…Significant correlations between the two (ranging from -0.28 to -0.51; Gregor et al 2005;McLeish et al 2006;Schmidt and Telch 1997;Yartz et al 2005) have been reported. However, the interpretations of these correlations varied from one study to another, contributing to some ambiguity.…”

“…On the basis of previous research McLeish et al 2006;Schmidt and Telch 1997;Schmidt et al 1996Schmidt et al , 2003Yartz et al 2005) and stated clinical observations, we hypothesized that a measure of perceived health would correlate significantly with measures of anxiety sensitivity, catastrophizing of physical symptoms, hypochondriacal fears and beliefs, anxiety, depression, and somatization. However, when controlling for anxiety sensitivity, hypochondriacal beliefs, and catastrophizing of physical symptoms, we expected perceived health to no longer have significant relationships with other variables.…”