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Published on: November 21, 2013
Smoking predicts suicidality: findings from a prospective community study
Thomas Bronisch1, Michael Höfler, Roselind Lieb
1Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Clinic and Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Kraepelinstreet 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany. bronisch@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Journal of Affective Disorders
|November 21, 2007
Summary
Smoking and nicotine dependence predict future suicidal ideation and attempts in young adults. Prior suicidality does not predict future smoking, suggesting smoking may independently increase suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- The temporal relationship between smoking and suicidality remains unclear.
- This study investigates the onset and directionality of associations between smoking and suicidality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the temporal ordering of onset between smoking behaviors and suicidality in adolescents and young adults.
- To determine if smoking or suicidality precedes the other.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline and four-year follow-up data from the prospective Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology (EDSP) study.
- Assessed smoking (occasional, regular), nicotine dependence, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts using the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI).
Main Results:
- Strong baseline associations were found between smoking/nicotine dependence and suicidality (ORs 1.4–16.4).
- Prior smoking and nicotine dependence predicted new onset suicidal ideation (ORs 1.5–2.7) and suicide attempts (ORs 3.1–4.5).
- No association was found between prior suicidality and subsequent smoking/nicotine dependence.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest an independent pathway from smoking to suicidality.
- The results indicate that smoking may precede and increase the risk for suicidality in young individuals.
- Associations remained significant even after excluding individuals with major depression.
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