Differences between smokers and non-smokers in personality traits: the role of sensation seeking and core self-evaluations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Smoking is recognized as one of the most important preventable causes of premature death in the world and personality traits as one of the influential factors in people’s tendency to smoke. Therefore, we conducted the present research to compare the sensation seeking and core self-evaluations in the smoking and nonsmoking population. Methods 867 people from the general population of Hormozgan Province participated in this cross-sectional study. We collected the data online using questionnaires of demographic information, smoking, Zuckerman sensation seeking and core self-evaluations. Results 38.2% of the participants in the study were smokers and 61.8% were nonsmokers. The mean scores of awareness of the harms of smoking in non-smokers and smokers were 7.43 (SD = 2.43) and 6.51 (1.72), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean scores of sensation seeking in the non-smokers and smokers were 15.10 (SD = 5.64) and 23.09 (SD = 4.18), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean scores of core self-evaluations in the non-smokers and smokers were 43.46 (SD = 6.79) and 37.9 (SD = 4.82), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions According to the findings, smokers have lower core self-evaluations and high sensation seeking compared to non-smokers. Therefore, paying attention to these personality factors is necessary in the design and implementation of preventive therapeutic and psychological interventions in smokers.