Title: Psychological and related characteristics of smokers and nonsmokers.

POPLINE Document Number: 051027

Author(s):

Matarazzo JD
Saslow G

Source citation:

PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN, 1960 Nov;57(6):493-513.

Abstract:

Smoking prevention and cessation programs would be aided by more knowledge about the personal attributes of smokers versus nonsmokers. A review of major studies by Haenszel et al (1956), Sackrin and Conover (1957), and Lilienfeld (1959)--as well as other studies appearing in the literature--suggests that there are significant differences between these 2 groups in terms of psychological, social, and behavioral characteristics. Concerning personal-situational variables, smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to be male, divorced or widowed, urban residents, unemployed, veterans, participants in sports, and to have been in a driving accident; generally, there are no consistent differences in socioeconomic status, education, or income. On the psychological dimension, studies have shown smokers to have high anxiety scores, higher than average scores on psychological tension, a neurotic personality constellation, and more psychosomatic symptoms than nonsmokers; however, no "smoker's personality" can be delineated. There are some indications that the factors that motivate people to initiate smoking (e.g., parental smoking, peer pressure) differ from those that perpetuate the habit (e.g., reduction of anxiety, tension, and loneliness). The fact that a 1958 study found no significant differences in the proportion of quitters between psychologists and scientists studying lung cancer, despite the latter's presumed greater knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking, shows the importance of noncognitive factors in the maintenance of smoking.

Keywords:

United States
Literature Review
Tobacco Use and Abuse
Personality
Psychological Factors
Psychosocial Factors
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Behavior