Personality correlates related to tobacco abstinence following treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The five-factor model of personality was used to describe the correlates of smoking abstinence.


METHODS
Following treatment in the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, the six month abstinence status was determined by self-report. Sixteen months to 2.4 years following the initial treatment evaluation, and 10 months to 1.9 years after the abstinence status was determined, 475 patients were mailed a Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Five-Factor Inventory questionnaire. Ninety-nine abstinent and 151 smoking patients returned a completed questionnaire.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed that low scores on neuroticism and openness were associated with tobacco abstinence. In addition, high scores on neuroticism and low scores on agreeableness and conscientiousness were associated with predictors of poor outcome including greater number of cigarettes smoked per day, initiation of smoking prior to age 18, and a Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score of > or = 6.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality characteristics as predictors of smoking abstinence following treatment warrant further investigation in prospective clinical trails. Treatment matching using personality profiling as a guide may be a valuable tool for improving abstinence rates following treatment for nicotine dependence.
Hooten
W Michael
WM
Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. hooten.william@mayo.edu
Ames
Steven C
SC
Vickers
Kristin S
KS
Hays
J Taylor
JT
Wolter
Troy D
TD
Hurt
Richard D
RD
Offord
Kenneth P
KP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*