Associations Between Childhood Trauma and Tobacco Use Outcomes in Adults after Overnight Abstinence

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Childhood trauma is known to be associated with nicotine dependence, yet limited smoking outcomes have been examined and few studies have assessed associations between specific trauma subscales and smoking. Additionally, sex differences in trauma-smoking relations are understudied. This study examined associations between childhood trauma and several smoking-related outcomes in adults who smoke after overnight abstinence. Aims and Methods People who smoke (N = 205) completed self-report and biochemical assessments evaluating childhood trauma, affect, nicotine dependence, smoking urges, withdrawal, and plasma cortisol and cotinine levels. Smoking outcomes were compared between those with and without a history of moderate to severe childhood trauma among the total sample and by sex. Results Relative to those with no to minimal abuse, those with moderate to severe abuse had higher negative affect, withdrawal severity, and plasma cotinine levels. Exploratory analyses revealed that women were more likely than men to have urges to smoke for negative reinforcement and have higher withdrawal severity, but no interactions between abuse group and sex were observed. Examining specific trauma subscales, the moderate to severe emotional abuse group had more severe nicotine dependence, negative affect, and withdrawal compared to the no to minimal group. The moderate to severe sexual abuse group had more severe nicotine dependence and withdrawal compared to the no to minimal group. Conclusions Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with more severe nicotine dependence, negative affect, withdrawal, and higher plasma cotinine levels. Findings also indicate that different types of trauma may differentially affect smoking behaviors. Implications This study of adults who smoke finds that childhood trauma history may be a marker for smoking susceptibility and suggests that individuals with experiences of emotional and sexual abuse may require targeted forms of smoking cessation interventions. Moreover, findings suggest that smoking risks may differ for men and women. Findings inform public health interventions intended to reduce cigarette use in individuals with exposure to childhood trauma.