Does increasing cigarette use stabilize mood? A real-time investigation spanning 6 years of adolescence and young adulthood
Study tracks 6 years of mood and cigarette use in youth, revealing surprising patterns in emotional stability.
Dr. Ashley D. Kendall and others are leading a new longitudinal study published in Addiction examining whether increased cigarette use improves emotional stability in adolescents. The study followed 255 youth across six years using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture real-time mood data and smoking behaviors.
Key findings revealed that as adolescents increased their cigarette use, their mood swings decreased, suggesting a more stable emotional response both during and outside of smoking episodes. Notably, this effect was especially pronounced among boys, who showed reduced variability in both positive and negative affect during non-smoking times.
Why it matters: These results challenge long-held assumptions that cigarettes only offer short-term mood boosts. By showing a connection between smoking frequency and stabilized mood patterns in youth, the study highlights the complexity of nicotine use and underscores the need for targeted public health strategies in adolescent populations.
