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Tobacco smoking and mental disorders in Australian adolescents

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dc.contributor.authorLawrence, D.
dc.contributor.authorJohnson, S.E.
dc.contributor.authorMitrou, F.
dc.contributor.authorLawn, S.
dc.contributor.authorSawyer, M.
dc.date.issued2022
dc.descriptionArticle first published online: April 28, 2021
dc.description.abstractObjectives: This study aimed to (1) examine the strength of the association between mental disorders/mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents, (2) compare rates of tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents with major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and/or conduct disorder in 2013/14 vs 1998, and (3) identify the extent to which an association between tobacco smoking and mental health problems among adolescents can be attributed to non-mental health risk factors. Methods: The study utilised data from the first (1998) and second (2013/14) child and adolescent components of the National Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Both surveys identified nationally representative samples of Australian young people aged 4-17 years, living in private dwellings. Information was collected from parents and 13- to 17-year-olds about mental disorders, mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking. Results: In the 2013/14 survey, the rate of current tobacco smoking among those with a mental disorder was 20% compared to 5% in those without a mental disorder. Rates were highest for young people with conduct disorder (50%), major depressive disorder (24%) and anxiety disorders (19%). In 2013/14, 38% of current tobacco smokers had a mental disorder and 32% reported self-harm and/or suicidal ideation vs 10% and 5%, respectively, among adolescents who had never smoked. Females with mental disorders or reporting self-harm or suicidal ideation had higher rates of current smoking than males. Other significant factors associated with current smoking included school-related problems, binge eating and having had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: While smoking rates in 13- to 17-year-olds with mental disorders had declined since 1998, the strength of the association between mental disorders and smoking had increased, especially among females. Our findings highlight the need to address the tobacco smoking among adolescents with mental disorders, particularly females.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityDavid Lawrence, Sarah E Johnson, Francis Mitrou, Sharon Lawn, Michael Sawyer
dc.identifier.citationAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2022; 56(2):164-177
dc.identifier.doi10.1177/00048674211009617
dc.identifier.issn0004-8674
dc.identifier.issn1440-1614
dc.identifier.orcidSawyer, M. [0000-0002-7834-0561]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/131280
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSAGE Publications
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE140100027
dc.rightsCopyright © 2021 by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1177/00048674211009617
dc.subjectSmoking; adolescence; mental health; gender
dc.titleTobacco smoking and mental disorders in Australian adolescents
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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