Longitudinal Effects of Life Satisfaction on Smoking Status of Korean Adult Men

The prevalence of smoking among adult men remains high in Korea. Additionally, life satisfaction can influence health behaviors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal effects of life satisfaction on smoking status among Korean adult men.

This study utilized panel data from wave 1 (2005) to wave 12 (2016) of the Korea Welfare Panel Study. Life satisfaction was measured using 8 variables, representing satisfaction with leisure, social relations, family relations, health, job, family income, residential environment, and overall life. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed to assess the causal relationship between life satisfaction and smoking status.

Over the 11-year follow-up period, improved leisure satisfaction was associated with a decreased hazard of smoking (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; p<0.01). In contrast, greater satisfaction with social relations was linked to an increased hazard (HR, 1.23; p<0.05). Improved satisfaction with family relations was associated with a decreased hazard of smoking (HR, 0.84; p<0.05).

Certain life satisfaction variables appear to influence the incidence of smoking among Korean adult men.