Nicotine dependence, PTSD symptoms, and depression proneness among male and female smokers.
Several studies have linked posttraumatic stress disorder with heavy smoking. It is not known to what extent this association is specific, as opposed to being a function of a joint association of PTSD and heavy smoking with a third variable such as depression proneness. In a cross-sectional study of 157 current regular smokers, severity of nicotine dependence (but not cigarettes smoked per day) was positively correlated with total PTSD symptoms, hyperarousal symptoms, and avoidance symptoms. These correlations were not eliminated by controlling statistically for depression vulnerability, whether it was measured on a continuous self-rating scale or on the basis of interview-diagnosed history of major depression. The association between PTSD and nicotine dependence was stronger among men than among women.
Thorndike
Frances P
FP
American University, Department of Psychology, Asbury Building, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8062, United States.
Wernicke
Rachel
R
Pearlman
Michelle Y
MY
Haaga
David A F
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000209:etiology*