Association between personality and adolescent smoking

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.05.003 Byline: Zeena Harakeh (a), Ron H.J. Scholte (a), Hein de Vries (b), Rutger C.M.E. Engels (a) Keywords: Personality types; Personality dimensions; Adolescent smoking; Smoking onset; Birth order Abstract: The present study examined the association between adolescents' personality traits and smoking, and tested whether this association was moderated by birth order or gender. Participants were 832 Dutch siblings aged 13 to 17 years participating at baseline assessment (T1) and at follow-up 12 months later (T2). Personality was assessed by applying a variable-centered approach including five personality dimensions (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability and Openness to Experience), and a person-oriented approach using three personality types (i.e., Resilients, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers). Cross-sectional findings indicated that Extraversion (at T1 and T2), Agreeableness (at T2), Conscientiousness (at T2), and Emotional Stability (at T2) were related to adolescent smoking. Longitudinal findings indicated that only Extraversion and Emotional Stability were related to onset of adolescent smoking. Using a person-oriented approach, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers did not differ from Resilients on smoking onset. No indication was found for a moderating effect of birth order on the association between personality and smoking. Additional findings showed that gender moderated the effect of Agreeableness on adolescents' smoking onset. Implications for prevention are also addressed. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Family and Child Care Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands (b) Department of Health Education, Maastricht University, The Netherlands