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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.05.021 Byline: Jason D. Robinson (a), Paul M. Cinciripini (a), Stephen T. Tiffany (b), Brian L. Carter (a), Cho Y. Lam (a), David W. Wetter (c) Keywords: Nicotine; Gender differences; Startle; Affect; Smoking deprivation Abstract: Men and women may differ in their sensitivity to the mood-modulating properties of nicotine. Male and female adult smokers were exposed to four sessions crossing two nicotine deprivation conditions (12-h deprived vs. nondeprived) with two drug conditions (nicotine vs. placebo nasal spray). Acoustic probes elicited startle eyeblink responses while viewing affective and cigarette-related slides. In-session mood ratings were collected to gauge self-reported negative affect, positive affect, and craving. Nicotine nasal spray reduced startle amplitude in both men and women following 12-h deprivation compared with smoking nondeprivation. During nondeprivation, nicotine nasal spray increased startle amplitude in women compared with placebo spray, whereas no difference was found for men. The startle results suggest that both men and women are responsive to the hedonic properties of nicotine. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301439, Unit 1330, Houston, TX 77230, United States (b) University of Utah School of Medicine, 410 Chipeta Way, Room 222, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States (c) Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 125, Houston, TX 77030, United States

The proportion of DSM-IV-based threshold and subthreshold depressive disorders is assessed. The results suggest that investigation of the prevalence of depression in community samples of pregnant smokers is warranted, as depression may present a major obstacle in pregnant women's efforts to quit smoking.

The association between education level and smoking status in a community-based sample of working adults is examined. It was found that there was a strong educational gradient in smoking status.

The progression of smoking in a cohort of 321 low-level and occasional smokers is investigated. The results showed that over the course of 4 years, 45% of low-level and occasional users had become nonsmokers, 35% became occasional smokers, and 20% became daily smokers.

Background Although individuals with psychiatric disorders are disproportionately affected by cigarette smoking, few outpatient mental health treatment facilities offer smoking cessation services. In this paper, we describe the development of a smartphone-assisted mindfulness smoking cessation intervention with contingency management (SMI-CM), as well as the design and methods of an ongoing pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) targeting smokers receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment. We also report the results of an open-label pilot feasibility study. Methods In phase 1, we developed and pilot-tested SMI-CM, which includes a smartphone intervention app that prompts participants to practice mindfulness, complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) reports 5 times per day, and submit carbon monoxide (CO) videos twice per day. Participants earned incentives if submitted videos showed CO ≤ 6 ppm. In phase 2, smokers receiving outpatient treatment for mood disorders are randomized to receive SMI-CM or enhanced standard treatment plus non-contingent CM (EST). Results The results from the pilot feasibility study ( N = 8) showed that participants practiced mindfulness an average of 3.4 times/day (≥ 3 min), completed 72.3% of prompted EMA reports, and submitted 68.0% of requested CO videos. Participants reported that the program was helpful overall ( M = 4.85/5) and that daily mindfulness practice was helpful for both managing mood and quitting smoking ( Ms = 4.50/5). Conclusions The results from the feasibility study indicated high levels of acceptability and satisfaction with SMI-CM. The ongoing RCT will allow evaluation of the efficacy and mechanisms of action underlying SMI-CM for improving cessation rates among smokers with mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Negative affect is an important predictor of smoking behavior, and many smokers believe that smoking reduces negative affect. However, it is unclear whether such beliefs, known as negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies (NRSOE), are associated with changes in negative affect in response to nicotine deprivation and administration. Methods: Smokers (N =114) participated in 4 sessions that balanced overnight smoking deprivation (12-h deprived vs. ad lib) and nasal spray administration (nicotine vs. placebo). Corrugator supercilii (COR) EMG, skin conductance (SCR), and in-session ratings were collected while the participants viewed affective, cigarette-related, and neutral slides. Retrospective questionnaire data were collected prior to slide viewing. NRSOE were determined using the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire – Adult Nicotine Affect Reduction scale (SCQ-NAR). Results: High scores on the SCQ-NAR were associated with smaller COR EMG to unpleasant slides following nicotine nasal spray administration compared to placebo spray, regardless of overnight deprivation. Smokers who had high scores on the SCQ-NAR had smaller SCR, following nicotine nasal spray administration compared to placebo spray, but only after overnight deprivation. The in-session ratings and retrospective questionnaire measures indicated that smokers who had high scores on the SCQ-NAR experienced greater negative affect and craving, and less positive affect, than smokers with low scores on the SCQ-NAR, regardless of nicotine exposure. Conclusions: Our questionnaire results suggest that while smokers who have high NRSOE self-report greater overall levels of negative affect and craving, while the psychophysiological data suggest that such smokers may experience negative affect reduction when blindly administered a dose of nicotine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]