title: Impulsiveness and venturesomeness in German smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cigarette smoking is a behavior, which is influenced by genetic, demographic, and psychological factors. A large body of research has examined the association of cigarette smoking variables with individual differences in personality traits. The aim of the current study was to replicate the findings of higher self-reported impulsivity in smokers compared with never-smokers in a German sample using Eysenck´s construct of impulsivity. Furthermore, it was intended to further the knowledge about associations between different self-reported impulsivity components and different smoking variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy questionnaire (I7) to measure self-reported impulsiveness and venturesomeness and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) to measure novelty seeking (NS) in a sample of 82 nicotine-dependent smokers and 119 never-smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smokers scored higher on impulsiveness, venturesomeness, and NS than never-smokers independent of age, gender, and years of education. We found a significant association between venturesomeness, impulsiveness and smoking status in daily smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, this study provides evidence that impulsiveness and venturesomeness as well as the novelty-seeking subscale extravagance are significantly associated with smoking status in a German sample of female and male smokers compared with never-smokers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, Mainz, Germany. bernow@psychiatrie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bernow
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kruck
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lieb
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tüscher
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fehr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*