Coping Strategies in the Association Between Depression and Smoking Urges: Differential Results According to Sex.

BACKGROUND

The association of coping strategies with smoking-related variables according to sex has been understudied. Women experience greater difficulties than men to quit smoking and remain abstinent. Considering the impact of smoking on women's health, it is important to identify factors that may promote cessation. The goal was to analyze the differential association according to sex between depressive episode history and smoking urges through the impact of coping strategies.

METHODS

The sample was composed of 389 people who sought intervention for smoking cessation (Mage = 45.34, 61.2% women). Two sex-stratified multiple mediation models were conducted. All measures were taken at baseline. Depressive episode history was assessed using the MDE screener, coping strategies using the brief COPE, and smoking urges with the QSU.

RESULTS

The mediation analyses showed a significant indirect effect of depressive episode history on negative-affect-related craving (QSU F2) through maladaptive coping strategies both in women and men. Furthermore, in the case of women, a significant indirect effect of depressive episode history on desire-related craving (QSU F1) through maladaptive coping was found.

CONCLUSION

Maladaptive coping strategies influence the relationship between depressive episode history and cigarette craving. These results have the potential to inform tailored smoking cessation strategies. Therefore, assessing maladaptive coping and including techniques to reduce its use in smoking cessation interventions, considering sex and the different types of craving, may improve abstinence rates.