Nicotine dependence and motives for smoking in depression

Smoking variables were assessed in female (n = 48) and male (n = 28) French hospitalized depressed smokers. Nicotine dependence, motives for smoking, and emotional situations in which depressed smokers were likely to smoke were compared with those of female (n = 36) and male (n = 60) nondepressed smokers from the general population. Depressed smokers scored higher than controls on nicotine dependence, and on stimulant and sedative smoking; they also reported that they were more likely to smoke in negative emotional situations. Sedative smoking decreased significantly between admission and discharge. Sedative smoking is a strong reason for smoking among depressed smokers regardless of degree of dependence, whereas stimulant smoking is positively correlated with degree of dependence. Nicotine dependence is also significantly correlated with anhedonia, and its relationship to depression is discussed in regard to nicotine action on hedonic systems.