The Association between Nicotine Dependence and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

by

Author: Elizabeth Berke

Live Poster Session: Zoom Link

Elizabeth Berke

Elizabeth Berke is a Sophomore at Wesleyan University originally from Manhattan, New York. She is majoring in Psychology and Education, with a minor in History. This topic aligns closely with her interest in mental health disorders and was hoping to discuss how comorbidity plays a role among these subjects. 

Abstract:

This study illuminates the complex correlation between nicotine dependence and generalized anxiety disorder, while also underscoring the impact of age on this relationship. The DSM-5’s incorporation of Tobacco Use Disorder only in 2013 highlights the need to acknowledge nicotine dependence as a clinical issue, especially in combination with mental health conditions like generalized anxiety disorder.

Through analyzing data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) codebook that utilizes the DSM-5 for diagnosing participants with mental health illnesses, researchers observed a significant association between nicotine dependence and generalized anxiety disorder. Furthermore, after using age as a covariate, it revealed that this association is notably stronger among individuals aged 18 to 58 (younger group) compared to those over 58 (older group) Lastly, after confounding for nicotine frequency, there was still an association between nicotine dependence and anxiety, regardless of how much an individual smokes. 

This study successfully highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing the connection between nicotine dependence and generalized anxiety disorder, while also acknowledging how different age groups shape this relationship.

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