Motivation to quit smoking and startle modulation in female smokers: context specificity of smoking cue reactivity

Abstract

Cue reactivity and startle reflex modulation paradigms have been used in addiction research to determine the affective motivational state of craving induced by viewing drug-related cues. However, recent studies suggest that cue reactivity and startle reflex modulation in people with addictions can be suppressed, or even reversed, depending on context. The present study looked at the contextual specificity of smoking cue startle modulation by examining individuals with low and high motivation to quit smoking. Emotional modulation of the startle reflex was examined in 32 female smokers exposed to affective stimuli and tobacco cues. The sample was divided into high and low motivation to quit smoking groups using the Processes of Change Questionnaire. The tobacco cues produced a greater startle magnitude in the group with high motivation to quit smoking than the group with low motivation, which was independent of craving level. Motivation to be abstinent is a relevant contextual factor accounting for variance in cue reactivity in individual smokers.