Benjamin Chapman1, Kevin Fiscella, Paul Duberstein, Ichiro Kawachi. 1. Laboratory of Personality and Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. ben_chapman@urmc.rochester.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about whether educational gradients in smoking patterns can be explained by financial measures of socioeconomic status (SES) and/or personality traits. PURPOSE: To assess whether the relationship of education to (1) never smoking and (2) having quit smoking would be confounded by financial measures of SES or by personality; whether lower Neuroticism and higher Conscientiousness would be associated with having abstained from or quit smoking; and whether education effects were modified by personality. METHOD: Using data from the Midlife Development in the US National Survey, 2,429 individuals were classified as current (n = 695), former (n = 999), or never (n = 735) smokers. Multinomial logistic regressions examined study questions. RESULTS: Greater education was strongly associated with both never and former smoking, with no confounding by financial status and personality. Never smoking was associated with lower Openness and higher Conscientiousness, while have quit was associated with higher Neuroticism. Education interacted additively with Conscientiousness to increase and with Openness to decrease the probability of never smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Education and personality should be considered unconfounded smoking risks in epidemiologic and clinical studies. Educational associations with smoking may vary by personality dispositions, and prevention and intervention programs should consider both sets of factors.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about whether educational gradients in smoking patterns can be explained by financial measures of socioeconomic status (SES) and/or personality traits. PURPOSE: To assess whether the relationship of education to (1) never smoking and (2) having quit smoking would be confounded by financial measures of SES or by personality; whether lower Neuroticism and higher Conscientiousness would be associated with having abstained from or quit smoking; and whether education effects were modified by personality. METHOD: Using data from the Midlife Development in the US National Survey, 2,429 individuals were classified as current (n = 695), former (n = 999), or never (n = 735) smokers. Multinomial logistic regressions examined study questions. RESULTS: Greater education was strongly associated with both never and former smoking, with no confounding by financial status and personality. Never smoking was associated with lower Openness and higher Conscientiousness, while have quit was associated with higher Neuroticism. Education interacted additively with Conscientiousness to increase and with Openness to decrease the probability of never smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Education and personality should be considered unconfounded smoking risks in epidemiologic and clinical studies. Educational associations with smoking may vary by personality dispositions, and prevention and intervention programs should consider both sets of factors.
Authors: W Michael Hooten; Steven C Ames; Kristin S Vickers; J Taylor Hays; Troy D Wolter; Richard D Hurt; Kenneth P Offord Journal: Int J Psychiatry Med Date: 2005 Impact factor: 1.210
Authors: Bruna Galobardes; Mary Shaw; Debbie A Lawlor; John W Lynch; George Davey Smith Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Natalie Slopen; Lauren M Dutra; David R Williams; Mahasin S Mujahid; Tené T Lewis; Gary G Bennett; Carol D Ryff; Michelle A Albert Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2012-02-24 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Christian Hakulinen; Mirka Hintsanen; Marcus R Munafò; Marianna Virtanen; Mika Kivimäki; George David Batty; Markus Jokela Journal: Addiction Date: 2015-08-22 Impact factor: 6.526