Research Trends on Smoking, Depression, and Anxiety: Bibliometric Analysis

Smoking, along with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, represents a major public health concern. Bibliometric analysis offers a distinct perspective on the connections between these conditions.

To conduct a bibliometric analysis using network visualization mapping to explore research on smoking, depression, and anxiety.

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Lens. The search used keywords "smoking", "nicotine dependence", "anxiety", and "depression". Data were extracted and analyzed using bibliometric indicators, including publication and citation trends, leading countries and organizations, influential authors, journals, and frequently occurring keywords. Network visualization mapping was performed by using VOSviewer software.

A total of 138 papers were selected and reviewed based on the predefined eligibility criteria. These papers were published between 1991 and 2024. The analysis highlighted key trends: publications peaked in 2013 with 10 papers, while citations were highest in 2008 with 549. The most influential organizations were the Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, and the Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine. Naomi Breslau was identified as the most influential author, and Nicotine and Tobacco Research as the leading journal. The most frequently occurring keywords were "smoking", "depression", and "anxiety", and "nicotine dependence".

This bibliometric analysis identified the scholarly impact and characteristics of publications and provides researchers and policymakers with baseline data to guide research strategies on smoking and mental health.