Personality and smoking status: a meta-analysis
Marcus R Munafò1, Jessica I Zetteler, Taane G Clark
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. marcus.munafo@bristol.ac.uk
Summary
This meta-analysis found that smokers tend to have higher levels of extraversion and neuroticism compared to nonsmokers. These personality traits are associated with an increased likelihood of smoking, though the effect sizes are small.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- The relationship between smoking status and personality traits is complex and has yielded inconsistent findings in previous narrative reviews.
- Eysenck's tripartite taxonomy of human personality provides a framework for understanding personality traits relevant to behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the strength and direction of the association between smoking status and personality traits using meta-analytic techniques.
- To synthesize findings from cross-sectional studies on personality differences between smokers and nonsmokers.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a meta-analysis of 25 cross-sectional studies published between 1972 and 2001.
- Included studies reporting personality data for healthy adult smokers and nonsmokers based on Eysenck's personality taxonomy.
- Analyzed data on smoking status in relation to extraversion and neuroticism.
Main Results:
- A significant difference was found between smokers and nonsmokers regarding both extraversion and neuroticism (p<.001).
- Smokers were more likely to exhibit higher levels of both extraversion and neuroticism compared to nonsmokers.
- Effect sizes for these associations were small, and no variation was observed with the year of publication.
Conclusions:
- Increased extraversion and neuroticism are associated with a higher likelihood of being a smoker.
- Despite statistical significance, the practical impact of these personality traits on smoking status is small.
- The findings contribute to a more consistent understanding of the smoking-personality link.
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