Personality, Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Stress And Smoking Behavior Among Adolescents In Pakistan

Abstract

The issue of smoking is a significant public health concern due to its association with increased risk of disease and premature mortality. Understanding the factors that contribute to smoking behavior can aid in the development of effective strategies to promote smoking cessation. This study aimed to explore the relationship between psychosocial factors and smoking behavior among college students. A correlational study was conducted with N= 500 adolescents’ from various schools in Lahore, Pakistan. Results from Pearson's Product Moment correlation analysis revealed that students with high levels of neuroticism (r= .36**, p<.01), extraversion (r=.46**, p<.01), perceived stress (r=.72**, p<.01), as well as low levels of emotional intelligence(r= .71**, p<.01), were more likely to smoke. Conversely, those with high levels of extraversion(r=.53**, p<.01), agreeableness(r=.53**, p<.01), openness(r=.59**, p<.01) and conscientiousness(r=.42**, p<.01) tended to have higher levels of emotional intelligence and lower levels of perceived stress. Overall, the study highlights the importance of social and psychological factors in predicting smoking behavior.