The relationship between smoking status and serious psychological distress: findings from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

Given the association between current smoking behaviors and psychological distress, future tobacco prevention and control efforts may benefit by including components of mental health, especially for low SES populations.

Smoking status, nicotine dependence and happiness in nine countries of the former Soviet Union

“…Although previous research has produced differing results concerning the relationship between smoking cessation attempts and happiness,15 21 the finding from the current study that attempting to quit smoking on one or more occasions was not related to happiness does, at first sight, seem to contradict the results from several earlier studies that have highlighted how unsuccessful quitting is associated with both psychological distress and depression 51 52. It is possible, however, that our result might stem from several factors.…”

Motives to quit smoking and reasons to relapse differ by socioeconomic status

“…In our study, the most important reason to relapse in smokers with low SES was that they were more nervous/depressed/restless when they tried to quit. A recent large study reported that smokers with low SES had the highest odds of reporting psychological distress (Dube et al, 2009). Difficult living conditions of persons with low SES (as reflected by economic strain, insecure employment and low-control working context), a pro-smoking social context, isolation from wider social norms and limited opportunities for respite and recreation appear to undermine cessation (Fagan et al, 2007;Paul et al, 2010;Stead et al, 2001).…”

Smoking uptake is associated with increased psychological distress: results of a national longitudinal study

“…Nicotine changes neurotransmitter activity in the brain and this may be the mechanism for an increased risk of depression,12 16 17 but psychological mechanisms may also be relevant. For example, it is only recently that the role of quit attempts within the relationship between smoking and poorer mental health has been considered 1 3 18. Cross-sectional studies which have considered the role of quit attempts have found high levels of psychological distress among smokers compared with non-smokers and current smokers who tried to quit smoking but failed, compared with ex-smokers or never-smokers 1 3 18.…”