Introduction

The transitional stage between childhood and adulthood known as adolescence, is a critical time for physical and mental development. Many health risk behaviors, such as depression, smoking and drinking, tend to occur in this phase. Depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) 2014 “Health for the world’s adolescents” report1. Meta-analyses suggest the prevalence of depressive disorder in adolescents is 5.7%2. Adolescence and young adulthood are associated with high rates of new depression cases3. Depression negatively impacts growth, development, school performance and peer and family relationships. Adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorders are at higher risk of substance abuse, future depression and suicidal behavior4. Additionally, research has shown that most long-term adult smokers start smoking during adolescence5. According to national surveillance in the United States, 15.7% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days prior to the survey6. Approximately one in ten Canadian high school students are current smokers7. Further, 34.9% of American high school students had consumed alcohol during the 30 days prior to the survey6. Excessive alcohol consumption in adolescents is strongly related to problem behavior and increased risk of suicidal behavior8,9.

Recent studies focused on the directions of the associations among smoking, drinking and depression have been unclear. Depression can potentially cause smoking or drinking. This relationship can be explained by the self-medication theory, which states that drinking and smoking can elevate mood and relieve depressed feelings10,11. Two longitudinal studies showed that depression may lead to the initiation of alcohol consumption for boys12,13. Smoking or drinking can also lead to depression. Alcohol toxic effect on the thyroid gland can potentially lead to hypothyroidism, which is associated with clinical depression14. Nicotine affects neurotransmitter activity in the brain and can cause changes that increase the risk of depression15. The relationship may even be bidirectional. A prospective cohort study found a bidirectional relationship between adolescent depression and smoking16. The relationship may be caused by shared risk factors (possibly genetic), in which no causality exist17. Roy et al.18 found no difference between smokers and non-smokers in history or severity of depression. They concluded that cigarette smoking and depression were related based on early deprivation variables, rather than one causing the other. Rohde and colleagues19 failed to find such association. They found that externalizing disorders, except for depression, were associated with daily smoking.

Some evidence has suggested that the association between tobacco, alcohol and depression may differ by genders. However, findings are inconsistent and limited research has conducted among adolescents. Males have demonstrated stronger associations than females. Depression levels were associated with smoking statuses of 14- to 18-year-old adolescent boys, but not girls20. Men who drink heavily at least four times during the previous 28 days had a 2.6-fold higher risk for depression, which was not found in women21. Other studies have demonstrated opposite findings. Adolescent 12- to 17-year-old girls in the U.S with a diagnosis of depression were two times more likely to smoke, but boys did not show a similar association22. Depressive disorder was positively associated with later alcohol use disorders (OR = 3.11) in women, but not in men, in a longitudinal study23. Having more than 5 drinks on a maximal drinking occasion may be associated with increased risk of major depression among women, according to a follow-up study24. Prior diagnosis of major depression significantly affected risk for developing alcohol dependence in women, according to a longitudinal study25.

Smoking and drinking are common phenomena among adolescents and depression can cause a series of negative consequences. Most previous studies regarding the association between health risk behaviors and gender differences have been conducted in western or developed countries. Very few have been conducted in developing countries, such as China. Furthermore, research has not been consistent regarding gender differences in this association. Therefore, we conducted a large-scale cross-sectional study among Chinese adolescents to examine the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms, with a particular focus on gender differences.

The following two hypotheses were formulated. First, we hypothesized that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption would be significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. Second, we hypothesized that the relationship between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms would significantly differ by gender.

Results

A total of 19,578 students were invited to participate, of which 18496 (94.5%) student questionnaires were completed and included for analysis. Those who were excluded were similar to the sample we analyzed in terms of demographics (data not shown). The participants’ characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Boys accounted for 47.4% (8765) of the sample. Students were from 12 to 19 years old, with a mean age of 15.5 (±1.7) years. Approximately 54.7% (10123) of the students lived with both biological parents, whereas 16.4% (3036) lived in single-parent families. Approximately 10.5% (1944) of students reported their family economic status to be above average, whereas 31.7% (5857) reported below average. Approximately 42.0% (7760) of the students communicated little with parents. A total of 3.4% (635) of participants reported poor relationships with teachers, while 7.2% (1325) had poor relations with classmates. Students who thought their academic pressure was above average accounted for 42.5% (7859) of the sample. Correlations between these categorical variables and cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms were analyzed by Chi-square tests.

Table 1 Sample characteristics by depressive symptoms, smoking, drinking and gender (N = 18496).
Full size table

According to the CES-D, approximately 9.1% (1685) of adolescents in Chongqing had depressive symptoms. The mean score for the entire sample was 15.2 (±9.0). Additionally, 10.4% (1012) of girls had depressive symptoms, with a mean score of 15.9 (±9.2). Approximately 7.7% (673) of boys had depressive symptoms, with a mean score of 14.4 (±8.7). A significant difference existed between boys and girls (χ2 = 41.2, P < 0.01).

During the 30 days prior to the survey, approximately 8.8% (1636) of the adolescents reported smoking cigarettes. Use was significantly higher in boys (16.5%) than girls (1.9%) (χ2 = 1224.4, P < 0.01). Among adolescent smokers, 49.0% smoked their first entire cigarette before they were 13 years old. No significant difference between boys (51.4%) and girls (46.4%) existed for this proportion (χ2 = 1.6, P = 0.2).

During the 30 days prior to the survey, approximately 23.5% (4340) of adolescents reported alcohol consumption. Use was significantly higher in boys (31.5%) than girls (16.2%) (χ2 = 597.3, P < 0.01). Among adolescent drinkers, 63.9% drank for the first time before age 13. Such drinking significantly higher in boys (72.5%) than girls (59.7%) (χ2 = 203.3, P < 0.01).

Table 1 shows the values for the CIE (change in estimate) of each covariate being added to the crude model. CIE1 means the change in estimate of the association between cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms resulting from including the covariate into the crude model. A simulated cutoff of 0.3% was found to achieve a significance level of 5% in the association between cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms using R V.3.2.2. In examining the list of potential confounders, the change in the estimate was larger than 0.3% for all variables except living arrangement (−0.2%). CIE2 means the change in estimate of the association between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms resulting from including the covariate into the crude model. A simulated cutoff of 0.06% was found to achieve a significance level of 5% in the association between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. In examining the list of potential confounders, the change in the estimate was larger than 0.06% for all variables except living arrangement (0%). Thus the following covariates were considered to be confounders adjusted for the multiple logistic regression: grade, family economic status, parental education level, parental smoking and drinking pattern, communication with parents, number of brothers and sisters, number of good friends, relationship with teachers and classmates, pocket money, academic pressure and time doing homework.

The final logistic regression model for having depressive symptoms is presented in Table 2. After controlling for confounders, the interaction between cigarette smoking and gender was significant (P < 0.001). The interaction between alcohol consumption and gender was also significant (P = 0.007). The stratified analysis by sex showed that cigarette smoking did not have a significant association with depressive symptoms for boys, after controlling for confounders. Alcohol consumption was shown to be a risk factor for having depressive symptoms among boys (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4-2.1). For girls, both cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.6-3.4) and alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.8-2.5) were risk factors for having depressive symptoms after controlling for confounders.

Table 2 Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals of depressive symptoms among adolescents.
Full size table

Discussion

We found that 8.8% of adolescents in Chongqing reported smoking cigarettes. Approximately 23.5% reported alcohol consumption and 9.1% had depressive symptoms. The proportion of cigarette smoking in boys (16.5%) was significantly higher than in girls (1.9%). The proportion of boys who drank alcohol (31.5%) was also significantly higher than girls (16.2%). However, the proportion of girls with depressive symptoms (10.4%) was significantly higher than boys (7.7%). These findings confirm previous studies that males are more likely to have abused, or been dependent on, substances26,27. Females are more likely to have depressive symptoms28. Tobacco and alcohol use in boys reflects their newly gained independence. However, girls who smoke or drink are not always socially accepted in China. Girls are also more emotional than boys and may be more vulnerable to mental illness.

After controlling for confounding factors, the association between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms was stronger among girls (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.8–2.5) than boys (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4–2.1). This finding is consistent with another cross-sectional study showing that binge drinking and mental health problems were more common among 12- to 15-year-old adolescent girls (OR = 2.43) than boys (OR = 1.64)29. The 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in American college students showed that the association between alcohol abuse and mental illness was stronger among females than males30.

This study found that cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms were significantly associated in girls only (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.6–3.4). This result slightly disagrees with a longitudinal follow-up survey performed in adolescents aged 12 to 18 in the U.S.28, showing that smoking status was a significant predictor of developing notable depressive symptoms in both genders. However, the effect in girls (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.39–3.04) was greater than boys (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.18–2.92). Although these two studies showed a stronger association in girls, the variation in boys should be considered. This variation may be driven by many reasons including different time periods, target populations, study design and methodological definitions of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. Further large meta-analysis or pool analyses are warranted to explore the potential correlates of heterogeneity of findings existing in current literature.

Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were shown to be associated with depressive symptoms in girls, which is consistent with our first hypothesis. Moreover, our study showed gender differences in this association, which is consistent with our second hypothesis.

Recent evidence suggests a biological plausibility of the gender differential association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. Women may experience more detrimental effects from alcohol consumption due to metabolic factors such as decreased alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme used to metabolize alcohol31. Women of all ages have less lean muscle mass than men, making them more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol32. Additionally, women may be more sensitive to harmful effects of smoking because of interactions between components of smoke and hormones33. Generally speaking, smoking and drinking pose greater health risks for women in terms of various physical and mental factors than for their male counterparts. Therefore, smoking and drinking associated more with depressive symptoms in females.

Our study has several strengths. First, to our knowledge no research has specifically and comprehensively considered gender difference in the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms in terms of demographics and school and family domains in this population. We conducted this survey in China and found a gender differential association. Second, our study used a large and randomly selected sample of Chinese adolescents, which renders us sufficient statistical power to detect possible associations even after adjusting for a considerable of potential confounders. However, several limitations were present. First, the cross-sectional design limited the ability to confirm the temporal sequence. Therefore, we failed to draw conclusions about causality. Longitudinal investigations are necessary in subsequent studies. Second, the CES-D is not a tool for diagnosing clinical depression but a screening instrument to assess the frequency of depressive symptoms. Cigarette smoking may be associated with clinical depression in boys. Third, results were based on a structured self-rating questionnaire. Although self-reporting is a common and accepted research method, students’ responses to sensitive questions about undesirable behavior may be biased. We attempted to assure that the study was performed anonymously to encourage participants to respond truthfully.

In conclusion, our study shows that the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms is stronger in girls than boys in a developing country. This finding is an important addition to existing literature. By examining this association, this study may support the early identification of individuals at high risk for depression. We may pay more attention to drinking and smoking adolescents, especially girls, to detect depressive symptoms and offer the help in time. This early identification may be of practical importance for both adolescents and guardians. Our study shows gender differences in the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. However, no causal relationship can be established from this cross-sectional design. We hope future longitudinal studies account for our findings and that policy makers utilize this information to take gender specific measures.

Methods

Study design and participants

This cross-sectional study was based on citywide representative sample. Participants were middle and high school students from Chongqing, an inland super-large city of China. A multistage stratified-cluster random-sampling method was used to select participants. In stage 1, we divided the entire city into three levels according to economic status (most developed, medium developed and least developed). Then, we randomly selected two counties from each level. In stage 2, schools were divided into three categories: middle (grades 7–9), high (grades 10–12) and vocational high schools (grades 10–12). We randomly selected three types of schools from each county. Six middle, four high and two vocational high schools were selected from each county. In stage 3, two classes were randomly selected from each grade in these schools. All available students within the class were surveyed. Those not surveyed were absent or refused to participate and consisted of less than 1% of the student population. The self-report questionnaire was designed by our expert group. Criterion and instrumentation proposed by the WHO were adopted. We carried out a pilot investigation to adapt questions to Chinese. Many previous studies have taken similar translation steps34,35. Data collection was anonymous. Questionnaires were administered in classrooms, by research assistants and without the presence of the teachers. All data were collected in 2012.

Ethical statement

The study received approval from the Sun Yat-Sen University School of Public Health Institutional Review Board. All participants were fully informed of the purpose of the study and invited to participate voluntarily. Written consent letters were obtained from the school, each participating student and one of each student’s parents. Methods were carried out in accordance with the approved guidelines.

Measures

Cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking was defined as more than one cigarette at least one day in the preceding 30 days. The age of initial smoking was measured by asking “How old were you when you first smoked an entire cigarette?” Similar definitions of cigarette smoking have been used in previous studies36,37.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption was defined as more than one drink (a can or bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a wine cooler, a shot of liquor, or a mixed drink with liquor in it) at least one day in the preceding 30 days. The age of initial alcohol consumption was measured by asking “How old were you when you first consumed alcohol”? Similar definitions of alcohol consumption have been used in previous studies38,39.

Depressive symptoms

The Center for Epidemiology Scale for Depression (CES-D) in Chinese was used to identify depressive symptoms. Respondents were asked to rate the frequency of 20 depressive symptoms within the past week on a scale of 1 of to 4, ranging from ‘rarely or none of the time’ to ‘most or all of the time’40. The total score ranges from 0 to 60. Higher scores indicate higher level of depressive symptoms. The original cut-off score for depressive symptoms was 16 points (corresponding to the 80th percentiles) in 197741. A score of 28 points (corresponding to the 95th percentiles) was later used to select more severe cases42. We adopted 28 points as the cut-off in our survey. Those who failed to answer at least 17 of the 20 items were eliminated. The CES-D has been shown to have high internal consistency, test–retest reliability and concurrent and construct validity. The instrument has been used in adolescents42,43,44. The Chinese version of this scale has also been validated45,46,47 and extensively utilized in Chinese studies48.

Sociodemographics and family- and school-related factors

Relevant variables include gender, age, grade, living arrangement, family economic status, parental education level, parental smoking and drinking pattern, communication with parents, number of brothers and sisters, number of good friends, relationship with teachers and classmates, pocket money, academic pressure and time doing homework. Living arrangements were assessed by asking students which individuals lived in their primary homes. Family economic status was measured by asking students their perceptions of their family’s current economic status (ranging from below average to above average). Parental smoking and drinking pattern was assessed by asking “whether your father/ mother smoke currently”? and “whether your father/mother drink currently”? Family communication was assessed by asking how often students communicated with parents regarding everyday life. The number of brothers and sisters as well as the number of good friends were assessed by a 4-point scale (0, 1, 2, >=3). Relationship with classmates or teachers was assessed by self-ratings from poor to good. Pocket money was assessed by a 3-point scale (<200RMB, 200-499RMB, >500RMB). Academic pressure was assessed by a 3-point scale, from below to above average. Time doing homework was assessed by a 3-point scale (<=1 h, 2−3 h, >3 h).

Statistical analysis

All data were independently entered by two investigators using EpiData 3.1. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS V.21.0, SAS V.9.2 and R V.3.2.2. Differential relationships across genders were assessed separately for boys and girls. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the demographic characteristics and the prevalence of health risk behaviors. Categorical data were reported in the form of frequencies and proportion. Continuous data were reported in the form of means and standard deviations (SDs). Chi-square tests were used to test the difference between the categorical variables. T-test was used to test the difference between the continuous variables. Our study used a multistage sampling method, in which students were grouped into schools. However, the ICC (intra-class correlation coefficient) for boys is 0.009 and for girls is 0.006, indicating a weak group effect. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between smoking, drinking and depressive symptoms. The presence of depressive symptoms was considered the dependent variable and cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were the predictor variables. The selection of confounders was based on both priori and empirical considerations. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the following known risk factors were adjusted for: grade, family economic status, parental education level, parental smoking and drinking pattern. The potential confounders were adjusted for based on the change-in-estimate (CIE) criterion with a simulated cutoff yielding a 5% level of type I error (that is, variables that induce a change greater than 95th percentile will be treated as confounders) following Lee49. CIE criterion with a simulated cutoff clearly outperformed other criteria in detecting a confounder while yielding the highest accuracy in estimating the true association between exposure and outcome50. Two multiplicative interactions were also examined. One included the interaction between cigarette smoking and gender, while the other included the interaction between alcohol consumption and gender. Both interactions were statistically significant. We then performed the multiple logistic regression analysis, stratified by sex. All statistical tests were two-sided, probability values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated. OR>1 with P < 0.05 was reported as a risk factor. Nonresponse to a particular question was treated as missing for all analyses using that variable.

Additional Information

How to cite this article: Yue, Y. et al. Gender differences in the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study among Chinese adolescents. Sci. Rep. 5, 17959; doi: 10.1038/srep17959 (2015).