Sensation Seeking, Emotion Regulation and Smoking Behavior in Young Adults

Author: Maryum Arifeen
Supervisor: Rafia Rafique, PhD
Degree: M.Sc
Year: 2014-2016
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between sensation seeking, emotion regulation and smoking behavior in young adults. It  was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship of sensation- seeking with smoking behavior; while negative relationship was assumed between emotion regulation and smoking behavior. It was hypothesized that emotion regulation will moderate the relationship between sensation seeking and smoking behavior. Sample comprised of 135 young adults with age range of 18-29 years. Data was collected from university students from Public Universities, by asking them to fill Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (Arnett, 1994), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003) and Glover-Nilson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (Glover, Nilsson, Laflin & Westin, 2005). Pearson Product Moment Correlation generated results which indicated that sensation seeking was positively correlated with smoking behavior while emotion regulation negatively correlated with smoking behavior. Moderation through Hierarchical Regression analysis indicated that emotion regulation was moderating the relationship between sensation seeking and smoking behavior. Sensation seeking and emotion regulation were predicting smoking behavior in young adults. Peer pressure and family history of smoking were also positively and significantly correlated with smoking behavior. The present study has implication for developing plan for cessation of smoking and rehabilitation of smokers.

Keywords: Sensation Seeking, Emotion Regulation, Smoking Behavior.

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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245

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