Anxiety Disorder and Smoking Behavior: The Moderating Effects of Entertainment and Informational Television Viewing

Abstract

Smoking is more common among individuals with mental health issues than those who do not have mental illnesses. In particular, among individuals with an anxiety disorder, a high prevalence of smoking has been found. Mood adjustment theory suggests that individuals with negative moods could adjust their moods depending on the type of television they watched. To understand this relationship better, we aim to examine how different television viewing can moderate the tendency of smoking behavior for individuals with an anxiety disorder. We used national U.S. survey data and concepts from the mood adjustment theory to answer our research questions. Our main contributions were to: (1) extend the mood adjustment theory by focusing on the association between a diagnosed mental disorder (i.e., anxiety) and risky behavior (i.e., smoking), and (2) examine the nuances of television genres by dividing entertainment television into excitement-valenced and ambiguously-valenced entertainment programs, along with information programs. The primary findings show that individuals with an anxiety disorder were more likely to smoke and this association was significantly attenuated when they watched cartoons, sports, and health information programs, but the positive association between an anxiety disorder and the extent of smoking was intensified when they watched drama, music, sci-fi, and television news. Patients with an anxiety disorder may take advantage of excitement-valenced entertainment programs and health-related information but need to be cautious in choosing ambiguously-valenced entertainment programs and news.