Psychological and related characteristics of smokers and nonsmokers

Bibliographic Data

ID4423285
AuthorsJoseph D Matarazzo (University of Oregon), George Saslow
Year1960
Volume57
Issue6
Pages493-513
Publication date1960-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Bulletin (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2909 • E-ISSN: 1939-1455
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/h0040828
PMID13768035
OpenAlexW1995679370
LanguageEN
Citations received33
References cited7

Smoking prevention and cessation programs would be aided by more knowledge about the personal attributes of 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 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 to have high anxiety scores higher than average scores on psychological tension a neurotic constellation and more psychosomatic symptoms than nonsmokers; however no smokers 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 latters presumed greater knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking shows the importance of noncognitive factors in the maintenance of smoking

Psychological Testing · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Clinical Psychology · Psychology · Smoking Behavior and Cessation

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