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


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.
Schleicher
Holly E
HE
Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA. holly.schleicher@umontana.edu
Harris
Kari Jo
KJ
Catley
Delwyn
D
Nazir
Niaman
N
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult