Nicotine withdrawal-induced negative affect is a function of nicotine dependence and not liability to depression or anxiety.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Individuals who quit smoking frequently experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. It is not clear whether these symptoms index liability to negative affect generally or whether such symptoms are a function of nicotine withdrawal and are thus indexed by nicotine dependence (ND).

Methods

A population-based sample of twins (N = 4,777 individuals) reported their lifetime history of psychopathology, ND, and symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced after attempts to quit smoking. Co-twin phenotype was used to predict withdrawal-induced symptoms of negative affect and to test whether genetic factors influence liability to these symptoms.

Results

Co-twin's ND was significantly associated with nicotine withdrawal-induced symptoms of anxiety and depre

SUBMITTER: Edwards AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3150687 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature