Cognitive coping, history of depression, and cigarette smoking

People with a history of depression are less likely to succeed in quitting smoking than are those with no depression history. Efforts to help formerly depressed smokers by incorporating the principles and techniques of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) of depression have yielded mixed results. This study tested a major premise of such treatment programs, that formerly depressed smokers are indeed lacking in cognitive coping skills taught in CBT. Four groups (Positive vs. Negative Depression History x Current Smoker vs. Never Smoker) completed the Ways of Responding (WOR) as a test of cognitive coping. History of depression was associated with use of significantly more "negative" (considered maladaptive by expert cognitive therapists) responses on the WOR. Smokers gave WOR responses lower in quality, as rated by independent coders, than those of nonsmokers. Results are discussed in relation to implications for treatment and for future research.