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Smoking in vietnam combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

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Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

The present study investigated smoking prevalence, smoking motives, demographic variables and psychological symptoms in 124 help-seeking, male Vietnam combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A high percentage of these veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A high percentage of these veterans smoked (60%). Vietnam veterans with PTSD who smoked were more likely than those who did not smoke to report higher levels of PTSD symptoms, depression and trait anxiety. Increased depression was associated with increased automatic smoking. Smokers reported a high frequency of smoking in response to military memories. Implications for smoking interventions, cessation, and relapse prevention efforts are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, 27705, Durham, North Carolina

    Jean C. Beckham, Allison A. Roodman, Robert H. Shipley, Michael A. Hertzberg, Harold S. Kudler, Edward D. Levin, Jed E. Rose & John A. Fairbank

  2. Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 27705, Durham, North Carolina

    Jean C. Beckham, Robert H. Shipley, Michael A. Hertzberg, Garry H. Cunha, Harold S. Kudler, Edward D. Levin & Jed E. Rose

  3. Center for Social Research and Policy Analysis, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

    John A. Fairbank

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  1. Jean C. Beckham
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  2. Allison A. Roodman
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  4. Michael A. Hertzberg
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  7. Edward D. Levin
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  9. John A. Fairbank
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Beckham, J.C., Roodman, A.A., Shipley, R.H. et al. Smoking in vietnam combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 8, 461–472 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02102970

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