Association between personality traits and smoking cessation among Chinese adults

Abstract

Background Although the tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest public health threats, the smoking cessation rate among Chinese adults is considerably lower. Personality information may indicate which treatments or interventions are more likely to be effective. China is the largest producer and consumer of tobacco worldwide. However, little is known about the association between smoking cessation and personality traits in China. Aim This study aimed to examine the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits among Chinese adults. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies. Probit regression models were employed to analyze the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits stratified by sex. Results Lower scores for neuroticism (Coef.=-0.055, p < 0.1), lower scores for extraversion (Coef.=-0.077, p < 0.05), and higher scores for openness to experience (Coef.=0.045, p < 0.1) predicted being a successful male quitter after adjusting for demographics. Moreover, lower scores for conscientiousness (Coef.=-0.150, p < 0.1) predicted being a successful female quitter after adjusting for demographics. Conclusion The empirical findings suggested that among Chinese men, lower levels of neuroticism, lower levels of extraversion, and higher levels of openness to experience were associated with a higher likelihood of smoking cessation. Moreover, lower levels of conscientiousness were associated with successful smoking cessation among Chinese women. These results showed that personality information should be included in smoking cessation interventions.

Hit me with your best puff: Personality predicts preference for cigar vs. cigarette smoking

“…While a previous study examined the relationship between the Big Five personality traits of practitioners and the rates of smoking cessation of their patients [ 34 ], a relative paucity of studies addressed the use of personality-based interventions aimed at reducing tobacco use. For example, Jin et al [ 35 ] found that among Chinese men, reduced Neuroticism, decreased Extraversion, and increased Openness to Experience were linked with higher rates of quitting smoking. Additionally, lower Conscientiousness was associated with successful smoking cessation among Chinese women.…”