245636 A Review of Candidate Biobehavioral Pathways Underlying the Association between Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Mental Health: Implications for Policy

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Frank Charlie Bandiera, MPH , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL
David Lee, PhD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Objective: To review current observational associations between secondhand smoke exposure and mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, attention deficit, and hyperactivity) and discuss candidate pathways of association.

Method: The authors describe a consistent association between secondhand smoke exposure and mental health outcomes, although the exact behavioral and biological pathways of association have not been established. They then discuss candidate pathways and provide future directions for further establishing causality.

Results: There is a consistent association between secondhand smoke exposure and mental health outcomes in the literature. The authors discuss potential genetic and behavioral confounders (e.g., psychological stress, maternal depression, and family functioning) as well as potential neurobiological pathways (e.g., dopamine system) that could suggest causality.

Conclusions: There is a consistent association between secondhand smoke exposure and mental health, and there is some evidence suggesting causality. Interventions designed to limit smoking in homes are needed and smoking in public places should be banned.

Learning Areas:
Basic medical science applied in public health
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. To discuss a consistent association between secondhand smoke exposure and poor mental health in children, adolescents and adults. 2. To review candidate behavioral and biological pathways of association. 3. To suggest interventions in the home and smoke policies in public that could prevent the incidence of mental disorders.

Keywords: Tobacco, Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have six publications on this topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Mental health topics on substance abuse
See more of: Mental Health