A new study shows a majority of smokers in America experience stress, depression, sadness and other negative emotions when compared to non-smokers.
A new research says that smokers display many instances of depression, stress, sadness, worry and many other negative emotions compared to non-smokers. Smoking is one of the worst addictions and can complicate the lifestyle of an individual, resulting in severe health disorders.
According to a new poll from GALLUP Wellbeing, 26% of smokers suffer from clinical depression compared with just 15% of nonsmokers. The findings of the study are calculated by the Emotional Health Index Score of a smoker compared against a non-smoker. The Emotional Health Index Score is based on an individual's self-reported positive and negative daily emotions and also clinical diagnoses of depression.
For the study, researchers interviewed over 83,000 Americans aged above 18 and recorded their emotions on a daily basis and how they felt "during a lot of the day yesterday." Researchers separated the data of smokers and non-smokers and compared it.
Researchers' first analysis showed that smokers were still affected emotionally regardless of their income. The report showed 33 percent of smokers were poor compared to 19.9 percent who were economically stable, but that did not change the level of depression and other health problems an individual suffered with smoking.
The analysis showed that smokers reported more stress, worry, depression, anger and sadness a lot of the day "yesterday," compared to non-smokers. 50 percent of smokers experienced stress compared to 37 percent non smokers. Similarly, 40 percent smokers experienced worry a lot of the day "yesterday," compared to 28 percent non-smokers. Smokers more likely experienced negative emotions in all categories compared to non-smokers.
Researchers also found that the smokers experienced least positive emotions including enjoyment, happiness or laughter. Only 57 percent smokers self-reported that they learned something new "yesterday" compared to 66 percent non-smokers. The report found a 6 percent difference between smokers and non smokers who experienced happiness, who were treated with respect and those who smiled or laughed. One in four Americans have less respect for smokers, according to GALLUP.
In the U.S. $96 billion is spent toward medical costs for smoking -related diseases and $97 billion in lost productivity each year, according to CDC.
Although the GALLUP report showed smokers suffered a lot of emotional stress, depression and sadness, it was not clear if a person starts smoking as a result of these negative emotions.
