Abstract:
This study examined the effects of smoking withdrawal on several depressive dimensions, and specifically on loss of interest, a core but less investigated symptom of depression. 17 women and 11 men engaged in relatively interesting leisure activities during smoking as usual phase, and again, after 48 hours of abstaining smoking. As predicted, in the non-smoking phase participants demonstrated lower subjective levels of interest, as assessed by subjective levels of enjoyment and motivation in engaging in the activity. However, contrary to expectations, there was no overall increase in level of depressive symptomology after abstaining smoking. Instead, exploratory analysis revealed an interactive pattern, in which men demonstrated significantly higher level of depressive symptomology in the non-smoking phase compared to women. As predicted, there was a decline in self-appraisal of performance in the non-smoking phase compared to the smoking phase. No such decline was found in objective measurements of performance. In this study the predictions that men will demonstrate lesser interest, energy, and greater level of tiredness/fatigue after abstaining smoking, compared to women, was not confirmed. Also, the hypothesis that men will demonstrate poorer level of performance in the non-smoking phase compared to women was not confirmed. Strengths and limitations for the current study and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
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