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.