Personality and Smoking Behavior

Abstract

Investigated the relationship between selected personality measures and the initiation and maintenance of smoking behavior. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI) and a Smoking Behavior Questionnaire were administered to 955 students (603 females; 352 males). Smokers had significantly higher scores than Nonsmokers on the EPQ Extraversion, Neuroticism and Psychoticism scales, and lower scores on the Lie Scale. Female Smokers had higher STPI Trait Anxiety scores than Nonsmokers, whereas male Smokers had lower anxiety scores than Nonsmokers. Female Current Smokers had lower Neuroticism and Trait Anxiety scores than Occasional and Ex-Smokers, and Ex-Smokers of both sexes had higher scores on the STPI Trait Curiosity scale than Current and Occasional Smokers. It was concluded that the initiation and maintenance of smoking behavior are influenced by different personality factors.

Um estudo comparativo entre características de personalidade de universitários fumantes, ex-fumantes e não-fumantes

“…As example we cite a number of studies published in the last decades, which showed a strong relation between tobacco consumption and neuroticism and extraversion. 16,26,27 However, other works did not confirm, or confirmed only partially, such associations. 7,20,28 The association between smoking and psychoticism (P) has been shown in several studies carried out lately, 16,17,27,28 however, the mechanisms responsible for the associations between personality and smoking have not been elucidated.…”

“…15,27,35 However, some works have not confirmed such an association. 36,37 Today, data found in the literature are still conflicting.…”

“…7 There are many studies published in the past decades demonstrating the association between high scores in the N factor and smoking. 26,27 However, some works have not confirmed such an association. 34,42 According to some experts on the topic, different from the factor extraversion, the relation between neuroticism and smoking is more consistent and it seems to have increased during the last decades in countries where tobacco consumption prevalence has been decreasing.…”

Características psicológicas associadas ao comportamento de fumar tabaco

“…Numerous studies published in previous decades showed a relationship between smoking and neuroticism. (9,15) However, this association was not detected in some studies. (10,16) Nevertheless, in contrast with the extroversion factor, the relationship between neuroticism and smoking is more consistent and seems to have grown considerably during recent decades.…”

“…(8) In previous decades, most studies demonstrated that smokers tend to get higher scores in extroversion, compared with nonsmokers. (9,10) However, in some studies, this association was not confirmed. (11)(12)(13)(14) The association between smoking and extroversion has decreased in recent decades, possibly because smoking has become a socially undesirable habit in many countries.…”