Trait-impulsivity moderates the relationship between rumination and number of major depressive episodes among cigarette smokers

Abstract

Background Despite the high prevalence of major depression among cigarette smokers, little is known about biobehavioural mechanisms that increase smoker's susceptibility to depression.

Aims The present study examined whether trait-impulsivity would moderate the relationship between rumination and number of past major depressive episodes (MDEs) among smokers (N=128).

Method Data were derived from baseline screening questionnaires and structured diagnostic interviews of two studies examining emotional responses of smokers with a history of major depression compared with smokers without depression histories.

Results As predicted, the interaction betwen rumination and trait-impulsivity was a significant predictor of MDE recurrence (beta= 0.408, p = .oo6, R2 change = 0.104) but not among those with low levels of impuslivity (beta = 0.203, p = 0.126, R2 change = 0.028).

Conclusions High levels of trait-impulsivity may increase vulnerability to rumination and MDE recurrence among smokers, potentially facilitating the likelihood of experiencing clinically revelant depressogenic consequences (e.g. suicidal ideation and behaviour).

McChargue, D. E., Drevo, S., Herrera, M. J., Doran, N., Salvi, S., & Klanecy, A. K. (2011). trait-impulsivity moderates the relationship between rumination and number of major depressive episodes among cigarette smokers, Mental Health and Substamce Use, 4, 96-104.