The study included over 9,000 men and women who agreed to fill out a questionnaire. Participants were asked when they started smoking, if at all, and current smoking habits. Researchers found a powerful relationship between smoking behavior and the number of negative childhood experiences. In addition, if a respondent was exposed to one of the negative childhood experiences, the chances of being exposed to other negative childhood events was increased substantially. Researchers also explored why people with distress in their childhood would choose to smoke.
Cigarettes contain nicotine, a mood-regulating drug found in tobacco.
Quitting smoking is difficult for many reasons, and for these people quitting means giving up their coping device. Anda suggests that smokers look at the benefits they're getting from smoking and nicotine, if any. If you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or anger, explore whether you have a history of child experiences that engender these problems. Pladziewicz is a clinical psychologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and was not involved in the study. All rights reserved.