The role of anxiety sensitivity-physical concerns in terms of quit day withdrawal symptoms and cravings: A pilot test among smokers with asthma

Objective: The aim of the current study was to conduct secondary analyses of data collected from a study examining a self-guided quit attempt of smokers with and without asthma in order to examine the unique predictive ability of precessation (i.e., baseline) anxiety sensitivity physical concerns in terms of quit day withdrawal symptoms and cravings among abstinent smokers with asthma. Methods: Participants were 24 regular cigarette smokers with asthma (50% female, M_age = 37.63 years, SD = 12.20) who participated in a self-guided-quit attempt and were able to maintain abstinence on their quit day. Results: After controlling for the effects of the cognitive and social concerns domains of anxiety sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity-physical concerns significantly predicted greater quit day withdrawal symptoms (20.8% unique variance) and urges to smoke (38.0% unique variance). Conclusions: These findings suggest that smokers with asthma who fear anxiety-related sensations due to their feared physical consequences are more likely to experience intense withdrawal symptoms and desire to smoke at the beginning of a quit attempt. Clinically, smokers with higher levels of anxiety sensitivity physical concerns may benefit from smoking cessation interventions that specifically target anxiety sensitivity as well as prolonged use of nicotine replacement therapies to target withdrawal symptoms and cravings.     

Sleep Quality Moderates the Relation between Depression Symptoms and Problematic Cannabis Use among Medical Cannabis Users

Objectives: This study sought to extend research on the relation between depression symptoms and problematic cannabis use by evaluating the potential moderating role of perceived sleep quality among medical cannabis users. Methods: This employed a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 162 adults (mean age = 42.05 years, SD = 14.8; 22% female), with current recommendations from a doctor for medical cannabis, recruited from a medical cannabis dispensary. Results: Consistent with previous research, individuals with heightened depression symptoms had greater problematic cannabis use. In addition, perceived sleep quality moderated this relation, such that depression symptoms differentially related to problematic cannabis use as a function of perceived quality of sleep (ΔR² = .03, p = .02). Participants with higher levels of depression and good perceived sleep quality had the greatest rates of problematic cannabis use. Conclusions: These results suggest that individuals with heightened depression may have higher rates of problematic cannabis use, in part, because of the beneficial effects of cannabis in terms of perceived sleep quality.     

Cannabis and social welfare assistance: a longitudinal study

Aims To investigate associations between cannabis use and subsequent receipt of social welfare assistance. Design, setting and participants The Young in Norway Longitudinal Study. A population‐based Norwegian sample (n = 2606) was followed‐up from adolescence to late 20s. Self‐report data were merged with data from national registers. Measurements Data were extracted on the use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis and other illegal substances. Information was also retrieved on socio‐demographic and family factors, academic achievement, conduct problems and mental health. National registers provided data on social welfare assistance, educational level and crime statistics. Findings We observed prospective bivariate associations between increasing levels of cannabis use and subsequent social welfare assistance (P < 0.0001). The associations were reduced after adjusting for a range of potentially confounding factors, but remained significant. Frequent cannabis users were at highly increased risk for subsequently receiving social welfare assistance. At 28 years, those with 50+ times cannabis use during the previous 12 months and had an odds ratio of 9.3 (95% confidence interval: 4.3–20.1) for receiving social welfare assistance in the following 2‐year span. Users of cannabis also had longer periods of receiving social welfare assistance than others (P < 0.0001) and were less likely to leave the welfare assistance system (P < 0.0001). Conclusions In Norway the use of cannabis is linked with subsequent receipt of social welfare assistance whether the consequences are related to use of the substance per se, or to cultural factors and the illegal status of the cannabis. Future research should attempt to understand the interactions of factors behind these associations.     

Cannabis use and subclinical positive psychotic experiences in early adolescence: findings from a Dutch survey

Aims To investigate the association between early cannabis use and subclinical psychotic experiences, distinguishing between five levels of use: never used, discontinued use (life‐time users who did not use in the preceding year), experimental use, regular use and heavy use. Design Cross‐sectional observational study. Setting Dutch Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) study, 2005 wave. Participants A total of 4552 secondary school children aged 12–16 years. Measurements Cannabis use, Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) positive scale, confounding factors: age, gender, family affluence, household composition, social support, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, ethnicity and urbanicity. Findings The association between cannabis use and subclinical positive symptoms was confirmed, and remained significant after extensive adjustment for potential confounders. Associations were found for all user groups, with strongest associations for the discontinued use group (β = 0.061, P = 0.000) and for the heavy use group (β = 0.065, P = 0.000). Conclusions There is an enduring association between cannabis use at an early age and subclinical positive psychotic experiences, even after abstaining from cannabis for at least 1 year.     

Cannabis dependence in young adults: an Australian population study

Objectives The symptomatology of cannabis dependence remains ill‐defined and its importance controversial. Compared with alcohol dependence, the symptom profile of cannabis dependence has received little attention. We aimed to (a) report cannabis use in a representative population of young adults, (b) examine cannabis dependence symptoms according to frequency in the dependence syndrome and (c) contrast the symptomatology of cannabis and alcohol syndromes. Methods 1601 young adults (mean age 20.7 years) from an Australian longitudinal cohort study (N = 2032) were surveyed in 1998. Regular substance users were assessed for DSM‐IV cannabis and alcohol dependence. Prevalence estimates allowed for sampling variation and attrition. Results Fifty‐nine per cent reported life‐time use of cannabis, 17% used at least weekly and 7% (11% males, 4% females) met criteria for cannabis dependence. Symptom prevalence in dependent cannabis users was: persistent desire 91%; unintentional use 84%; withdrawal 74%; excessive time obtaining/using 74%; continued use despite health problems 63%; tolerance 21%; and social consequences 18%. The combination of withdrawal, persistent desire and unintentional use was reported by 57%. Dependent cannabis users reported compulsive and out‐of‐control use more frequently than dependent alcohol users, withdrawal similarly and tolerance considerably less often. Conclusions Cannabis use appears to be normative behaviour in young Australians. Progression beyond weekly use of cannabis carries a significant risk of dependence that should be considered in the public health response. The differing profiles of cannabis and alcohol dependence, particularly with regard to craving, draws attention to the need for further study of cannabis dependence as an important and distinct disorder in young adults.     

Exploration of the Comorbidity of Cannabis Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders among Inpatients Presenting to All Hospitals in New South Wales,Australia

Background: Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illegal psychoactive substances and its use often coexists with mental health disorders. Objectives: This study explores the relationships between cannabis use disorders and some common mental health disorders. Methods: Admissions to all New South Wales (NSW) hospitals were analyzed. The data were extracted from the NSW Department of Health Inpatient Statistics Data Collection for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Readmissions within 28 days were excluded. Data extraction and analyses were performed by using the SAS program. Chi-square tests and odds ratio were used to examine the association between cannabis use disorder and mental health disorders. Results: Of the 1.8 million admissions, associations between cannabis use disorders and mental health disorders were strong (odds ratio = 7.8–10.7, p < .001). Inpatients (53.8%) who used cannabis had at least one identifiable mental disorder. Higher comorbidity rates were observed for females (39.6%) and for those aged between 30 and 49 years. Cannabis use disorder comorbid with the most common mental disorders were: anxiety disorder (3.4%), bipolar affective disorder (5.7%), major depressive disorder (10.9%), personality disorder (9.2%), schizophrenia (15.0%), and severe stress disorder (8.7%). Cannabis use disorder has strong associations with these mental health disorders (odds ratio 4.8–34.8). The average length of stay (ALOS) for cannabis use disorders was 9.0 days and the ALOS for the most common mental health disorders was 11.0 days. Conclusions and implications: This study provides detailed information about the association between cannabis use disorders and mental health disorders and extends our understanding of comorbidity presentations in inpatient admissions.     

Cannabis use by women during pregnancy does not influence infant DNA methylation of the dopamine receptor DRD4

Background: Maternal cannabis use in pregnancy is linked with long-term adverse behavioral outcomes in offspring. Epigenetic processes established in utero that affect dopaminergic (reward) signaling may mediate risks. Associations between cannabis use and offspring DNA methylation have not been investigated; however, maternal tobacco smoking in pregnancy is associated with distinct patterns of DNA methylation at birth and beyond. Objectives: To determine whether maternal cannabis use is associated with methylation of the dopamine receptor gene DRD4 promoter in infants. Methods: Mothers in the Triple B study provided detailed information on drug use in each trimester of pregnancy. Buccal swabs were collected from neonates at 8 weeks (n = 804, 51.7% male, and 48.3% female). DRD4 promoter DNA methylation was measured using SEQUENOM MassARRAY. Results: Fifty-seven of the women in the study reported drug use during pregnancy, of whom 44 used cannabis. Of 19 cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides (CpG) units tested in DRD4, gestational cannabis use was associated with offspring methylation at 1 CpG unit in multivariate models (β + 1.48, CI: 0.02 to 2.93, and p = 0.047). At another site there was weak evidence that both cannabis and other drug use were independently associated with increased methylation, while the association with tobacco was in the reverse direction (cannabis use β + 0.67, CI: ?0.12 to 1.46, and p = 0.09; other drug use β + 1.11, CI: 0.17 to 2.05, and p = 0.02; tobacco use β ?0.41, CI: ?0.85 to 0.03, and p = 0.07). None of the associations would remain significant after correction for multiple testing. Conclusion: There is no strong evidence that maternal cannabis use in pregnancy is associated with offspring DRD4 methylation.     

Cannabis Use and Obesity and Young Adults

Background: There is shortage of evidence about the relationship between use of cannabis and obesity. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between cannabis use and overweight/obesity in young adults. Methods: Data were from a 21-year follow-up of mothers and their children recruited into the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a longitudinal pre-birth cohort. The study is based on 2566 young adults (1264 males and 1302 females) who had data available on cannabis use and age of initiation to use of cannabis and BMI at the 21-year follow-up (MUSP children). Those who did not provide data on cannabis use and BMI were excluded from the analysis. Results: Frequency of cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) was assessed at the 21-year follow-up. Potential confounders were prospectively measured between the child's birth and the 21-year follow-up. Some 50.9% of young adults reported use of cannabis in the last month or year and 34.1% had BMI ≤ 25. Multivariate analysis showed that those who had used cannabis were less likely to be categorised in the BMI ≥ 25 group with the least prevalence of overweight/obesity being observed in every day cannabis users (odds ratio = .2; 95% confidence interval [CI]:.1–.4). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: The existing data suggest lower prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adult cannabis users. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of this association.     

Cannabis Use and Markers of Systemic Inflammation: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

BackgroundIt is unclear whether cannabis use in humans plays a role in the regulation of inflammatory responses. This study aimed to examine cannabis-attributable immunomodulation as manifested in levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).MethodsThe Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study is a cohort of 5115 African-American and Caucasian males and females enrolled in 1985-1986, and followed up for over 25 years, with repeated measures of cannabis use. Fibrinogen levels were measured at year 5, year 7, and year 20, CRP levels were measured at year 7, year 15, year 20, and year 25, and IL-6 levels were measured at year 20. We estimated the association of cannabis use and each biomarker using generalized estimating equations adjusting for demographic factors, tobacco cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and body mass index.ResultsCompared with never use (reference), recent cannabis use was not associated with any of the biomarkers studied here after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Former cannabis use was inversely associated with fibrinogen levels (β = −5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], −9.9, −0.9), whereas the associations were weaker for serum CRP (β = −0.02; 95% CI, −0.10, 0.06) and IL-6 (β = −0.06; 95% CI, −0.13, 0.02).ConclusionsA modest inverse association between former cannabis use and fibrinogen was observed. Additional studies are needed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of cannabis while considering different cannabis preparation and mode of use.     

Depressive symptoms in the trajectory of craving during smoking cessation treatment: A latent growth curve model

Background: Depressive symptoms and craving are related to smoking maintenance; however, little is known about the association between trajectories of depressive symptoms and smoking craving after quitting. Objectives: We examined if depressive symptom change relates to change in craving following smoking cessation treatment. Methods: Participants were 362 (64.1% female; 35.9% male) adult treatment seeking smokers who quit smoking after treatment. Depressive symptoms and craving trajectories were evaluated during smoking cessation treatment until 6 months follow-up. A latent growth curve model was used to study the correlation between trajectories. Results: Depressive symptoms and smoking craving reduced significantly after quitting. Change in depressive symptoms was significantly related to change in craving symptoms over time. Conclusions: Quitting smoking was related to a reduction in depressive symptoms and craving. Clinically, the reduction of depressive symptoms is associated with reduce craving. The data suggest depression plays an important role in craving change following treatment.     

Feature-level analysis of a novel smartphone application for smoking cessation

Background: Currently, there are over 400 smoking cessation smartphone apps available, downloaded an estimated 780,000 times per month. No prior studies have examined how individuals engage with specific features of cessation apps and whether use of these features is associated with quitting. Objectives: Using data from a pilot trial of a novel smoking cessation app, we examined: (i) the 10 most-used app features, and (ii) prospective associations between feature usage and quitting. Methods: Participants (n?=?76) were from the experimental arm of a randomized, controlled pilot trial of an app for smoking cessation called “SmartQuit,” which includes elements of both Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Utilization data were automatically tracked during the 8-week treatment phase. Thirty-day point prevalence smoking abstinence was assessed at 60-day follow-up. Results: The most-used features – quit plan, tracking, progress, and sharing – were mostly CBT. Only two of the 10 most-used features were prospectively associated with quitting: viewing the quit plan (p?=?0.03) and tracking practice of letting urges pass (p?=?0.03). Tracking ACT skill practice was used by fewer participants (n?=?43) but was associated with cessation (p?=?0.01). Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis without control for multiple comparisons, viewing a quit plan (CBT) as well as tracking practice of letting urges pass (ACT) were both appealing to app users and associated with successful quitting. Aside from these features, there was little overlap between a feature’s popularity and its prospective association with quitting. Tests of causal associations between feature usage and smoking cessation are now needed.     

Cannabis withdrawal predicts severity of cannabis involvement at 1-year follow-up among treated adolescents

AIMS: Controversy exists regarding the inclusion of cannabis withdrawal as an indicator of dependence in the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This study contrasted the concurrent and predictive validity of three operational definitions of cannabis withdrawal in a sample of treated adolescents. DESIGN: Prospective study of treated adolescents with 1-year follow-up. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents (n=214) were recruited from intensive out-patient treatment programs for substance abuse, and followed at 1 year (92% retention). Youth who were included in the analyses reported regular cannabis use. MEASUREMENTS: The number of DSM-IV cannabis abuse and dependence symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up, past year frequency of cannabis use at baseline and follow-up, and periods of abstinence at 1-year follow-up. Cannabis withdrawal was defined based on (i) the presence of two or more cannabis withdrawal symptoms; (ii) a definition proposed by Budney and colleagues (2006) that requires four or more withdrawal symptoms (four-symptom definition); and (iii) the use of latent class analysis to identify subgroups with similar cannabis withdrawal symptom profiles. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: All three definitions of cannabis withdrawal demonstrated some concurrent validity. Only the four-symptom and latent class-derived definitions of withdrawal predicted severity of cannabis-related problems at 1-year follow-up. No cannabis withdrawal definition predicted frequency of use at follow-up. Further research is needed to determine the clinical utility and validity of the four-symptom definition, as well as alternative definitions of cannabis withdrawal, to inform revisions leading to DSM-V and ICD-11.     

A Preliminary Trial: Double‐Blind Comparison of Nefazodone,Bupropion‐SR,and Placebo in the Treatment of Cannabis Dependence

The present study investigated the efficacy of nefazodone and bupropion‐sustained release for treating cannabis dependence. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, piggy back design was employed to assess if nefazodone and bupropion‐sustained release increased the probability of abstinence from cannabis and reduced the severity of cannabis dependence and cannabis withdrawal symptoms during a 13‐week outpatient treatment program. One‐hundred and six participants (Mean = 32 years; females n = 25) were randomized to one of three medication conditions (nefazodone, bupropion‐sustained release, or placebo) and participated in a weekly, individually based coping skills therapy program. Results indicated an increased probability of achieving abstinence over the course of treatment and a decrease in the severity of cannabis dependence and the withdrawal symptom of irritability. There were no significant effects demonstrated for nefazodone and bupropion‐sustained release on cannabis use or cannabis withdrawal symptoms. The results indicate nefazodone and bupropion‐sustained release may have limited efficacy in treating cannabis dependence.     

Determinants of smoking and cessation in older women

BACKGROUND: although the benefits of quitting smoking even at an advanced age have been proved, few campaigns target the older population. The goals of this study were to analyse the characteristics of older women smokers help and support those wanting to quit. METHODS: we assessed the determinants of smoking cessation in a prospective cohort study performed in 7,609 older women. A questionnaire about smoking habits was sent to the 486 eligible smokers. Smoking dependence and smokers' readiness to quit was assessed. Participants who had quit smoking during follow-up were asked about their previous reasons for quitting and the methods used to quit. RESULTS: 372 women of the 424 (88%) responded to our questionnaire and were included. The most common reasons for smoking were relaxation, pleasure, and habit. Major obstacles to quitting smoking were 'no benefit to quitting at an advanced age', 'smoking few or "light" cigarettes yields no negative health consequences', and 'smoking does not increase osteoporotic risk'. During the 3-year follow-up period, 57 of the 372 (15%) women successfully quit smoking. Being an occasional smoker (OR=2.4) and reporting 'quitting is not difficult' (OR=3.7) were positively associated with having recently quit smoking. Only 11% of successful cessations were reported to have received physician advice. CONCLUSIONS: these data illustrate the specific smoking behaviour of older women, suggesting that cessation interventions ought to be tailored to these characteristics. Willingness to quit was associated with a low education level. The most frequent obstacles to quitting were all based on incorrect information.     

Self-reported cannabis use characteristics,patterns and helpfulness among medical cannabis users

Objectives: Little research has investigated the demographic and symptom profile of medical cannabis users in states in the USA that have legalized cannabis use. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated the demographic profile of 217 adults currently receiving medical cannabis, as well as differences in problematic use and perceived helpfulness in terms of (i) symptoms of psychological disorders and pain, and (ii) motives for use. Results: Findings indicated that medical cannabis users (i) use and perceive cannabis to be beneficial for multiple conditions, some for which cannabis is not specifically prescribed or allowed at the state level; and (ii) report similar rates of disordered use as compared with population estimates among regular users. Furthermore, problematic cannabis use was predicted by several symptoms of psychological disorders (e.g. depression) and a variety of use motives (e.g. coping), while cannabis was reported as particularly helpful among those with several psychological symptoms (e.g. traumatic intrusions), as well as those reporting use for social anxiety reasons. Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of future directions for research given the current debates regarding legalization of cannabis for medical purposes and, more generally, the lack of empirical data to inform such debates.     

The association between exposure to point-of-sale anti-smoking warnings and smokers' interest in quitting and quit attempts: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey

Aims This study aimed to examine the associations between reported exposure to anti‐smoking warnings at the point‐of‐sale (POS) and smokers' interest in quitting and their subsequent quit attempts by comparing reactions in Australia where warnings are prominent to smokers in other countries. Design A prospective multi‐country cohort design was employed. Setting Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants A total of 21 613 adult smokers who completed at least one of the seven waves (2002–08) of the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey were included in the analysis. Measurements Reported exposure to POS anti‐smoking warnings and smokers' interest in quitting at the same wave and quit attempts over the following year. Findings Compared to smokers in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, Australian smokers reported higher levels of awareness of POS anti‐smoking warnings, and this difference was consistent over the study period. Over waves in Australia (but not in the other three countries) there was a significantly positive association between reported exposure to POS anti‐smoking warnings and interest in quitting [adjusted odds ratio = 1.139, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.039–1.249, P < 0.01] and prospective quit attempts (adjusted odds ratio = 1.216, 95% CI 1.114–1.327, P < 0.001) when controlling for demographics, smoking characteristics, overall salience of anti‐smoking information and awareness of anti‐smoking material from channels other than POS. Conclusions Point‐of‐sale health warnings about tobacco are more prominent in Australia than the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada and appear to act as a prompt to quitting.     

Anxiety and Mood Disorders and Cannabis Use

Background: Cannabis use has been linked to anxiety and mood disorders (AMD) in clinical cases, but little research on this relationship has been reported at the epidemiological level. Objectives: We examined the relationship between self-reported frequency of cannabis use and risk for AMD in the general Ontario adult population. Methods: Data were based on the CAMH Monitor survey of Ontario adults from 2001 to 2006 (n = 14,531). AMD was assessed with the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12). Frequency of cannabis use within the past year was grouped into five categories: No use (abstainer), less than once a month but at least once a year, less than once a week but at least once a month, less than daily but at least once a week, almost every day to more than once a day. Logistic regression analysis of AMD and cannabis use was implemented while controlling for demographics and alcohol problems. Results: AMD was most common among heavy cannabis users (used almost every day or more) (18.1%) and lowest for abstainers (8.7%). Compared to abstainers, the risk of AMD was significantly greater for infrequent cannabis users (OR = 1.43) and heavy cannabis users (OR = 2.04) but not for those in between. Conclusion: These data provide epidemiological evidence for a link between both light and heavy cannabis use and AMD. Scientific Significance: Recognizing the comorbidity of heavy cannabis use and AMD should facilitate improved treatment efforts. Our results also suggest the possibility that, for some individuals, AMD may occur at relatively low levels of cannabis use.     

Exposure to cannabis in popular music and cannabis use among adolescents

Background Cannabis use is referenced frequently in American popular music, yet it remains uncertain whether exposure to these references is associated with actual cannabis use. We aimed to determine if exposure to cannabis in popular music is associated independently with current cannabis use in a cohort of urban adolescents. Methods We surveyed all 9th grade students at three large US urban high schools. We estimated participants' exposure to lyrics referent to cannabis with overall music exposure and content analyses of their favorite artists' songs. Outcomes included current (past 30 days) and ever use of cannabis. We used multivariable regression to assess independent associations between exposures and outcomes while controlling for important covariates. Results Each of the 959 participants was exposed to an estimated 27 cannabis references per day [correction added on 19 January 2010, after first online publication: 40 has been changed to 27] (standard deviation = 73 [correction added on 19 January 2010, after first online publication: 104 has been changed to 73]). Twelve per cent (n = 108) were current cannabis users and 32% (n = 286) had ever used cannabis. Compared with those in the lowest tertile of total cannabis exposure in music, those in the highest tertile of exposure were almost twice as likely to have used cannabis in the past 30 days (odds ratio = 1.83; 95% confidence interval = 1.04, 3.22), even after adjusting for socio‐demographic variables, personality characteristics and parenting style. As expected, however, there was no significant relationship between our cannabis exposure variable and a sham outcome variable of alcohol use. Conclusions This study supports an independent association between exposure to cannabis in popular music and early cannabis use among urban American adolescents.     

Parental coping,depressive symptoms,and children's asthma control and school attendance in low-income,racially, and ethnically diverse urban families

Objective: Low-income urban children of color are at elevated risk for poor asthma control. This cross-sectional study examined associations among parents' coping (primary control, secondary control, and disengagement), parental depressive symptoms, and children's asthma outcomes (asthma control and school attendance) in a predominantly low-income, racially/ethnically diverse sample of families. Methods: Parents (N = 78; 90% female) of children (33% female; 46% Black; 38% Latino) aged 5–17 years (M = 9.5 years) reported on their own coping and depressive symptoms, their child's asthma control, and full and partial days of school missed due to asthma. Results: Parents' secondary control coping (i.e., coping efforts to accommodate/adapt to asthma-related stressors) was negatively correlated, and disengagement coping (i.e. coping efforts to avoid/detach from stressors) was positively correlated, with their depressive symptoms. Secondary control coping was also correlated with fewer partial days of school missed. Primary control coping (i.e., coping efforts to change stressors) was not associated with depressive symptoms or asthma outcomes. Parents' depressive symptoms were also positively correlated with poorer asthma control and partial days of school missed. Regression models showed direct and indirect effects of secondary control and disengagement coping on asthma outcomes via depressive symptoms, after controlling for demographic factors. Conclusions: Parents' secondary control and disengagement coping are related to children's asthma outcomes. Secondary control coping may support parents' mental health and children's asthma control in low-income urban families.