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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Stacey Stevens-Manser, PhD, Center for Social Work Research, University of Texas at Austin, 2641 Idaho Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55426, Brian Colwell, PhD, Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, University Drive and Adriance Lab Road, Mail Code 1266, College Station, TX 77843-1266, 979-4582238, colwell@srph.tamhsc.edu, and Dennis Smith, PhD, University of Houston, 4522 Dogwood Ridge Ln, Kingwood, TX 77345.

Purpose: 40% of youth in a tobacco awareness and cessation program smoked for reasons of negative affect and had significantly different pre- to post-intervention outcomes than peers on smoking behaviors, intentions, attitudes, and self-efficacy. During program revision, the NIMH two-question depression screening was added to more correctly identify and assist these youth. This study determined the number identified by the screening and if differences existed pre- to post-intervention between these youth and their peers on behaviors, dependence scores, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

Methods: Multivariate and repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze 1,980 workbooks from 2003-2005. Positive depressive symptoms are indicated by “yes” responses to two screening questions.

Results: Mean age was 16 (sd=1.33), 70% male and 76.6% white. 39% indicated none, 30% indicated one, and 31% screened positive for depressive symptoms. Positive screens reported first smoking (13 vs. 17 years) and intent to quit (27.5 vs. 38) at a significantly younger age. Both groups reported significantly less smoking in the past 30 days and cigarettes smoked per day post-intervention. Positive screens had significantly higher FTND scores (mean = 4.02 vs. 3.26) than their peers. They also had more positive attitudes toward smoking pre-intervention, but post-program, scores were not significantly different. At post-test both groups exhibited increased negative attitude toward smoking and significant increases in cessation-related self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Youth that smoke appear to be experiencing significant levels of depressive symptoms. Designers of interventions for these tobacco users must consider this. Additional research regarding the implications for cessation is needed.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe differences in program outcomes among youth screening positive for depressive symptoms and their peers who did not screen positive.
• Discuss the impact of depressive symptoms on outcomes of a youth tobacco awareness-cessation class.
• Articulate potential strategies to address negative affective states in cessation programs.

Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered