Mood management skills: A possible link between smoking and depression

Individuals with a history of depression are more likely to have ever smoked and less likely to successfully quit than those with no depression history. These studies examined whether mood management (MM) skills and mood state are factors contributing to the relationship between depression and smoking. In Study 1, participants (N = 87) completed measures of MM skills, nicotine dependence, and depression history. Depression history was associated with use of more negative MM skills. Smokers demonstrated lower quality MM skills. In Study 2 (N = 89 smokers), depression history, MM skills, and nicotine dependence were assessed. Participants were randomly assigned to a depressed or elated musical mood induction. Low positive affect combined with low MM skills was related to high temptation to smoke. High negative affect was associated with low self-efficacy. These findings help elucidate why history positive smokers are less successful in smoking cessation.