The Effects of Smoking on Emotional Response in Adolescent Smokers

The goal of the adolescent smoking study is to investigate the effects of smoking on emotional response in adolescents. In the study, we are using psychophysiological measures (startle eye blink response, heart rate, and, skin conductance), as well as self report measures in order to determine the subjects' emotional response to a number of emotional stimuli (pleasant, negative, and neutral).

We believe that this study is important, because research on the determinants of adolescent smoking can inform prevention, treatment, and policy at multiple levels. As increasing evidence points to an upsurge in adolescent smoking over the past several years, research in the area of adolescent smoking is becoming increasingly significant.