There have been few investigations into the relationship of smoking to the presentation of
anxiety and depression in clients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia. Using a survey
design, the current study sought to determine if there was a significant difference between
smoking and non-smoking clients in this clinical group on self-report measures of anxiety
and depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess
anxiety and depression. One hundred clients (male = 74) with a primary diagnosis of
schizophrenia completed the HADS. No significant difference was observed in anxiety and
depression scores as a function of smoking status. A logistic regression analysis revealed that
gender was a significant predictor of smoking status. The notion that smoking behaviour
and mood state are associated with schizophrenia was not supported. However, a high
proportion of the cohort were smokers (69%), and male gender was a significant predictive
factor in smoking status. Further research in this area is recommended in order to develop
strategies which reduce this current level of smoking in clients with a primary diagnosis of
schizophrenia.