title: Psychological characteristics associated with tobacco smoking behavior.
abstract: This article is a literature review of the psychological aspects of smoking behavior, highlighting personality characteristics of the smoker as an obstacle to smoking cessation. It describes the relation between smoking behavior and personality, and between smoking and the principal psychiatric disorders. Studies reveal that smokers tend to be more extroverted, anxious, tense, and impulsive, and show more traits of neuroticism and psychoticism than do ex-smokers or nonsmokers. The literature also reveals a strong association between smoking and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. Understanding the psychological factors associated with tobacco smoking and dependence can further the development and improvement of therapeutic strategies to be used in smoking-cessation programs, as well as of programs aimed at prevention and education.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde/Associação Cultural e Educacional de Garça - FASU/ACEG, School of Health Sciences/Cultural and Educational Associationof Garça - Garça (SP) Brazil. rcassiar@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Regina de Cássia
authors.initials: Rde C
authors.lastname: Rondina
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorayeb
authors.forename: Clóvis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botelho
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology