The role of depression and negative affect regulation expectancies in tobacco smoking among college students

Holly Schleicher, Kari Harris, Delwyn Catley, Niaman Nazir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Expectancies about nicotine's ability to alleviate negative mood states may play a role in the relationship between smoking and depression. The authors examined the role of negative affect regulation expectancies as a potential mediator of depression (history of depression and depressive symptoms) and smoking among college students. Participants and Methods: As part of a larger study, 315 undergraduate smokers completed a 296-item survey from January to May of 2001 and 2002. Results: Cross-sectional analyses revealed that negative affect regulation expectancies fully mediated the positive relationship between depressive symptoms and level of smoking. Conclusions: Although depressive symptoms are associated with higher levels of tobacco smoking, the expectation that smoking will reduce negative emotions is 1 factor that accounts for this relationship.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)507-512
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume57
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2009

Keywords

  • College students
  • Depression
  • Negative affect regulation
  • Tobacco smoking

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