Abstract
Personality characteristics are linked to nicotine dependence (ND). It remains unclear whether these factors differ across African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) male and female smokers. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between personality traits and smoking status, as well as the degree of ND, in AA and EA male and female samples. A total of 5,040 participants (AA: N = 3,737, female = 54.31%; EA: N = 1,313, female = 64.51%) were included in this study, with 2,474 smokers and 2,566 non-smokers. The measures used in this study included five dimensions of personality by the NEO-personality inventory-revised (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness), Fagerström test for ND, and drive subscale of the ND Syndrome Scale (NDSS). In the AA sample, neuroticism was significantly associated with a higher risk of smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 1.057; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.032, 1.083; p < 0.0001], and conscientiousness was significantly associated with decreased risk of smoking (OR = 0.936; 95% CI 0.912, 0.961; p < 0.0001). In the EA sample, higher neuroticism was associated with increased risk of being a current smoker (OR = 1.058; 95% CI 1.013, 1.104; p = 0.0105). Furthermore, we found that a lower level of neuroticism and higher level of conscientiousness were associated with the severity of ND in both the AA and EA samples and a broader range of personality factors were involved in predicting the severity of ND in the AA samples. However, no differential association was detected between male and female smokers of both AA and EA samples. There exist differential relationships between personality traits and the severity of ND in the AA and EA samples.
Highlights
Even though 67% of regular smokers have considered quitting and 52% have attempted to do so during the past year [1, 2], most efforts to remain abstinent for at least 6 months are unsuccessful [3, 4]
In a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies, smokers had higher neuroticism and extraversion scores than non-smokers [7]. Another meta-analysis revealed that smokers scored higher on neuroticism and extraversion and lower on conscientiousness than non-smokers, and increased likelihood of relapse to smoking was associated with higher neuroticism [6]
The results emerging from this study indicate that neuroticism and conscientiousness are associated with the likelihood of being a current smoker, as well as level of nicotine dependence (ND)
Summary
Even though 67% of regular smokers have considered quitting and 52% have attempted to do so during the past year [1, 2], most efforts to remain abstinent for at least 6 months are unsuccessful [3, 4]. Psychological, and social factors have been implicated in difficulties achieving and maintaining abstinence [5] Elucidating phenotypes linking such factors with smoking behaviors may enhance our capacity to develop tailored treatment strategies for treating nicotine dependence (ND). The health behavior model of personality is one of the leading theories that addresses the role of personality in determining an individual’s health [15, 16] According to this model, certain personality traits ( conscientiousness and neuroticism) are associated with either health promoting or health debilitating behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking, and/ or drug use), thereby determining health outcomes [16,17,18]. Health behaviors mediate the relationship between personality and both morbidity and mortality [19] This relatively consistent body of findings indicates the presence of relationship between higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness and smoking status
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