Smokers Show Lower Levels of Psychological Well-Being and Mindfulness than Non-Smokers.

Víviam Vargas Barros,Taynara Dutra Batista Formagini,Elisa Harumi Kozasa,Telmo Mota Ronzani,Laís Helena Pereira,Yunchao Su

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135377

Abstract

Mindfulness is defined as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally”. Mindfulness is associated with positive affect, life satisfaction, self-esteem, lower negative affect and rumination. Conversely, evidence suggests a relationship between nicotine dependence and psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to compare the levels of Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being (SWB) between smokers and non-smokers. Ninety seven smokers and eighty four non-smokers participated in the study (n = 181). The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-BR) and the Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWBS) were used. In all the factors of SWBS, the total scores in the FFMQ-BR and in the facets of Observing and Non-Reactivity, the non-smokers scored higher than the smokers. This study suggests that smokers present lower levels of Mindfulness and SWB than non-smokers. Consequently, we propose that Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) may help smokers deal with treatment and abstinence by increasing their level of SWB.

Highlights

The concept of Mindfulness, in western psychology, is understood as a metacognitive ability, defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and nonjudgmentally” [1]
The gender of the participant had no association with the level of nicotine dependence or with the fact of whether the participant was a smoker with p values of 0.45 and 0.64 respectively
Neither the levels of Mindfulness nor Subjective Well-Being (SWB) were significantly influenced by the level of nicotine dependence

Summary

Introduction

The concept of Mindfulness, in western psychology, is understood as a metacognitive ability, defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and nonjudgmentally” [1]. Mindfulness has been defined as an intrinsic human capability that can be developed and trained, and its improvement has been connected with better health outcomes in both medicine and psychology [2]. The abilities developed by this practice allow people to reduce the negative and increase the positive affect and, improve the Subjective Well-Being (SWB) [3]. The construct of SWB has three main components; positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction. Positive affect is a hedonic contentment, experienced alertness, enthusiasm and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0135377. Positive affect is a hedonic contentment, experienced alertness, enthusiasm and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0135377 August 13, 2015

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