Smoking and moods in adolescents with depressive and aggressive dispositions: Evidence from surveys and electronic diaries

Surveys and electronic diaries were used to examine depressive and external izing dispositions as they relate to smoking and moods in 170 early adolesc ents. Negative moods were prevalent, with anger and anxiety reported on 26% -60% and sadness on 16%-40% of occasions. The risk of smoking, urges to smo ke, and alcohol intake were elevated in teens with aggressive and depressiv e dispositions, as were diary reports of feeling hassled, angry, and sad. G irls high in depression and aggression also reported more anxiety, stress, and fatigue and less happiness and well-being than did their peers. For boy s, depression seemed to dampen the elevated smoking risks associated with e xternalizing behaviors. Discussion focuses on gender differences in persona lity-smoking linkages, adolescent negative affectivity, the unique contribu tions of survey and diary methods, and the promise of targeted preventive i nterventions such as affect regulation training.