Gender differences in personality patterns and smoking status after a smoking cessation treatment

Abstract

BackgroundThe lack of conclusive results and the scarce use of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) in the study of the relationship between smoking and personality are the reasons that motivated the study reported here. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of personality patterns, assessed with the MCMI-III, and of nicotine dependence on treatment outcomes at the end of the treatment and at 12 months follow-up in men and women smokers receiving cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation.MethodsThe sample was made up of 288 smokers who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. Personality patterns were assessed with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Abstinence at the end of the treatment and at 12-month follow-up was validated with the test for carbon monoxide in expired air.ResultsThe results showed significant differences by personality patterns that predict nicotine dependence (Narcissistic and Antisocial in men and Schizoid in women). At the end of the treatment it is more likely that quit smoking males with a Compulsive pattern and less likely in those scoring high in Depressive, Antisocial, Sadistic, Negativistic, Masochistic, Schizotypal and Borderline. In women, it is less likely that quit smoking those with the Schizoid pattern. At 12 months follow-up it is more likely that continue abstinent those males with a high score in the Compulsive pattern. Furthermore, nicotine dependence was an important variable for predicting outcome at the end of the treatment and smoking status at 12 months follow-up in both men and women.ConclusionsWe found substantial differences by gender in some personality patterns in a sample of smokers who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. We should consider the existence of different personality patterns in men and women who seek treatment for smoking cessation.

Psychological Problems and Psychosocial Predictors of Cigarette Smoking Behavior among Undergraduate Students in Malaysia

“…This finding is supported by previous research by Pineiro 2013(Pineiro et al, 2013 found that there were no significance gender difference on nicotine dependency. On contrary to present study findings, Fagerstrom and Furberg (2008) found that across 13 countries male has a higher nicotine dependence level compare to the female.…”

“…Cut-off score for FTND scale would be low dependence (1-2), low to moderate dependence (3-4), moderate dependence (5-7) and high dependence (8-10). Although the test-retest reliability of the FTND is 0.67, it has been used in many researches (Pineiro et al, 2013).…”

The association of affective temperaments with smoking initiation and maintenance in adult primary care patients

“…The available literature on personality measures and smoking shows that high scores on the depressive scale of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III make it less likely to quit smoking for males after 1 year of follow-up (Piñeiro et al, 2013). In females, we found that higher irritable temperament scores are strongly associated with smoking initiation and current smoker status.…”

“…Mood states together with stressful situations may explain the individual response to smoking cessation (Perkins, 1999;Kassel et al, 2003;Shadel et al, 2004). Gender differences in smoking initiation and cessation are fairly well known, and initiatives to address gender differences are imperative (WHO, 2010;Zatonski et al, 2012), but recent research related to the influence of personality on tobacco use is scarce, even though the influence of personality on tobacco use is differentially indicative of distinct personality patterns in the two genders (Piñeiro et al, 2013;Nieva et al, 2011).…”

Facets of the NEO-PI-R and smoking cessation

“…For instance, PereaBaena, Oña-Compan, and Ortiz-Tallo (2009) found that smokers with Avoidant, Self-destructive, Passive-Aggressive, Schizotypal or Borderline personality patterns were more likely to relapse by the 6-month follow-up, whereas the Dependent pattern was associated with greater likelihood of maintain abstinence. Piñeiro, López-Durán, Fernández del Río, Martínez, and Becoña (2013) found different results by gender. At the end of treatment it was more likely that males with a Compulsive pattern stopped smoking and less likely in those scoring high in Depressive, Antisocial, Sadistic, Negativistic, Masochistic, Schizotypal, and Borderline patterns.…”