Bidirectionality of smoking and depression in adolescents: a systematic review

Exploring the association between anhedonia and nicotine dependence: A study among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

Nicotine dependence and its psychological foundations, including anhedonia, are major public health issues, especially among young adults. There is a dearth of knowledge regarding nicotine dependence and anhedonia especially among female young adults. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the associations between anhedonia and nicotine dependence among female undergraduate students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024, among 449 female undergraduate students, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).

RESULTS

A total of 449 female undergraduate students participated in the study. The majority were aged 18-20 years (62.8%). The study found that 11.4% of participants reported nicotine use, primarily e-cigarettes (66.7%). Nicotine users reported higher parental [45.1% vs 26.4%, χ2(1)=7.770, p=0.005] and sibling nicotine use [52.9% vs 30.7%, χ2(1)=17.992, p=0.001]. Mental health conditions were more prevalent in nicotine users [39.2% vs 15.1%, χ2(1)=17.992, p<0.001]. Logistic regression identified mental health conditions (OR=4.44, p<0.001), sibling nicotine use (OR=2.37, p=0.006), and parental nicotine use (OR=2.27, p=0.01) as key predictors of nicotine use. Anhedonia was present in 19.8% of participants, associated with mental health conditions [38.2% vs 12.8%, χ2(1)=31.501, p<0.001], nicotine use [27% vs 7.5%, χ2(1)=8.309, p=0.005] and sibling nicotine use [46.1% vs 30%, χ2(1)=26.857, p<0.001]. Mental health conditions (OR=3.47, p<0.001) and nicotine use (OR=3.34, p<0.001) strongly predicted anhedonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The study's results support the notion that psychological discomfort influences nicotine use, demonstrating a substantial association between anhedonia and nicotine use. Given the influence of familial nicotine use, there is an immediate need for targeted interventions that address both social and psychological aspects.

Electronic cigarettes and their association with stress, depression, and anxiety among dental students in the UAE-a pilot cross sectional study

Background

During dental school, students may encounter stressful events that contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression; in response to these factors, some students use vaping or electronic cigarettes.

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between electronic cigarettes use and stress, anxiety, and depression among dental students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study included 142 dental students in their preclinical, clinical, or internship year was conducted. The 142 participants were split evenly between two groups: smokers and nonsmokers. The average age of the study's male and female participants was 21.6 years. Using the DASS 21 scale, participants were instructed to complete an electronic questionnaire assessing the association between electronic cigarettes use and stress, anxiety, and depression in smokers and nonsmokers.

Results

According to the findings of this study, stress, anxiety, and depression were significantly associated with electronic cigarette use. Compared to non-smokers, electronic cigarette smokers reported higher levels of severe/extremely severe depression (OR: 10.34, 95% CI: [4.23-24.1]), anxiety (OR: 13.8, 95% CI: [5.4-30.1]) and stress (OR: 27.6, 95% CI: [8.9-85.8]). Compared to males, females were 2.5 times (95% CI: [1.02-6.1]) more likely to report severe/extremely severe anxiety (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a significant correlation between the use of electronic cigarettes and elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among dental students in the UAE.

Prospective associations between cannabis use and depressive symptoms across adolescence and early adulthood

Cannabis use and occurrences of depression during adolescence are common. However, the temporal relationship between the two is less understood. Does depression lead to cannabis use, or does cannabis use lead to depression, or is it a combination of both? Furthermore, this directionality is confounded by other substance use, specifically binge drinking, which is common during adolescence. This study aimed to examine the temporal directionality of cannabis use and depression among a prospective, longitudinal, sequential cohort of 15 to 24-year-olds. Data were drawn from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) study. The final sample included 767 participants. Multilevel regression models were run to assess concurrent (at the same time point) and prospective (1 year later) associations between cannabis use and depression. When measured concurrently, depressive symptoms did not significantly predict past-month cannabis use but did significantly predict more days of use among cannabis users. Prospective associations indicated that depressive symptoms significantly predicted cannabis use 1 year later and cannabis use significantly predicted depressive symptoms 1 year later. We found no evidence that these associations varied by age or binge drinking. Overall, the relationship between cannabis use and depression appears to be complex and not unidirectional.

Prevalence of tobacco smoking in a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo and its correlation to other psychiatric disorders

Background

Tobacco smoking is considered currently a global public health concern among youth especially school students. There is a scarcity of data about the impact of this global phenomenon in Middle Eastern countries. This study assesses the prevalence of tobacco smoking, including conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes, and water pipe and its sociodemographic and psychiatric correlates among a sample of general secondary school students in Cairo, Egypt.

Results

A convenient sample of 391 Egyptian general secondary students from different areas of Greater Cairo were assessed using the Socioeconomic scale, Fagerstrom Test For Nicotine Dependence, The Lebanon Water pipe Dependence Scale, questionnaire for electronic cigarette use, Barratt impulsivity scale 11, and The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. 12.8% (n = 50) were smokers. There is a significant relation between family history of smoking and substance use and smoking and significant relation between smoking, impulsivity, and mood symptoms.

Conclusions

Prevalence of tobacco smoking in Egyptian adolescents was 12.8% with significant relation between smoking and impulsivity and mood symptoms.