The characteristics of psychological factors and personality in young male smokers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the health status and personality of young male smokers who have smoked everyday for one year. A total of 120 participants were examined with the personality questionnaire MMPI and the health questionnaire GHQ28. Data analysis was done using the average percentage and standard deviation of the T-score. Our studies showed that the subjects had a personality trait that avoid facing reality had a tendency to isolate and be fantasy (SC value T = 73). They were depressed, unsatisfied with their lives, had a pessimistic world view, and were self-centered (D and HS value T = 70). Furthermore, examination of the mental health status using the Thai GHQ 28 found that 37.6% were depressed, and 49% had anxiety and sleep difficulties. In addition, 10.8% had somatic problems and 2.5% had social withdrawal. Considering the period of start smoking, 55.83% started smoking at the age of 13 to 15, 35% at the age of 16 to 18, 5.83% at the age of 19 to 21 and another 3.33% at the age of 22 to 24. Among the factors initiated smoking behavior, introduction by friends accounted for 68.3% of the participants, self-experimentation for 12.5%, and having smoked family members for 19.2%. As for the intention to quit smoking, 80.8% of the participants who tried to quit smoking failed while 19.2% never tried.