Personality Traits as a Risk Factor of Smoking

Author: Sumariya Malik Supervisor: Dr. Uzma Zaidi Degree: M.Sc Year: 2007-2009 University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan Abstract The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of personality traits as risk factor in smoking among male adults. It was hypothesized that the people who smoke are more aggressive as compared to non smokers. Further it was hypothesized that the people who smoke are more impulsive as compared to non smokers. The sample consisted of 100 male subjects (n=50 smokers, n=50 non smokers). The sample was taken from various departments of University of the Punjab, Lahore. Their age ranged from 19 to 30 years. Purposive sampling technique was used. Two subscales of Impulsiveness and Aggression by Eysenck and Wilson 1975 were administered to assess the personality traits of aggression and impulsivity. To determine the significance of difference between personality traits in smokers and non smokers t-test was applied. Present research found significant difference of aggression as a risk factor in smoking. Keywords: Personality Traits, Smoking, Nonsmokers, Aggression, Impulsiveness Visit University to get the full thesis. Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245