Cigarette Smoking And Low Mastery Are Repeat Depression Risk Factors

Prior depression, regular smoking and also a lack of control over life situations, or “low mastery” can be repeat depression risk factors.

Depression is a very common condition that negatively impacts well being for those who have the condition. Around 65% of people having depression get repeat episodes. Depression is often related to weight and dietary management, pain and poor attention to other health factors.

To find repeat depression risk factors related to a long term prediction of depression, experts studied 585 adults who had dealt with depression. Of the sufferers, 65 percent were women, the average age was 38.5 years, and 82 percent were in the middle  to high income group. Over half the patients had several depression episodes in the following 6 years. Being an immigrant seemed to be protective against relapse in those with severe depression.

The study found that sex, age and income weren’t related to future depression episodes though regular smoking and low mastery were long term depression risk factors. Mastery will be the sense that individuals have control over their lives as well as their circumstances. In this research, high levels of mastery seemed to protect against further depression episodes.

History of depression is a common clinical indicator of future depression episodes, but smoking and mastery tend to be more novel predictive  factors that aren’t well taken into account in current clinical practice.

Future studies should look at the benefits of including mastery and smoking cessation in current clinical guidelines for treating depression.

Reference for: Cigarette Smoking And Low Mastery Are Repeat Depression Risk Factors