History of Depression and Smoking Cessation Outcome: A Meta-Analysis

Brian Hitsman, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital
Belinda Borrelli, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital
Dennis E. McChargue, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bonnie Spring, University of Illinois at Chicago/Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, Maywood, Illinois
Raymond Niaura, Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital

Document Type Article

Published in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2003, Vol. 71, No. 4, 657–663. Copyright 2003 by the American Psychological Association, Inc. Used by permission.

Abstract

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of published studies to (a) evaluate the premise that a history of major depression is associated with failure to quit smoking and (b) identify factors that moderate the relationship between history of depression and cessation outcome. Fifteen studies met the selection requirements and were coded for various study methodology and treatment characteristics. DSTAT was used to calculate individual study effect sizes, determine the mean effect size across studies, and test for moderator effects. No differences in either short-term (≤ 3 months) or long-term abstinence rates (≥ 6 months) were observed between smokers positive versus negative for history of depression. Lifetime history of major depression does not appear to be an independent risk factor for cessation failure in smoking cessation treatment.