Psychological defense mechanisms, motivation and the use of tobacco

Consistent with Eysenck’s Diathesis-Stress Theory, smokers and smokeless tobacco users (SLT-Users) were found in previous research to have higher EPQ Neuroticism and Psychoticism scores than non-users. The present study investigated the influence of psychological defense mechanisms and motivational factors on the use of tobacco products by Smokers, SLT-Users and Non-Users. Smokers and Non-Users were found to have significantly higher scores than SLT-Users on the Rationality/Emotional Defensiveness and Need for Harmony scales of the Life-Style Defense Mechanism (LDM) Inventory. SLT-Users had significantly higher scores than Smokers on the Automatic/Habitual and Social Attractiveness scales of the Tobacco Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ), and lower scores on the TMQ Anxiety, Anger, and Negative Affect scales. In responding to the Tobacco Behavior Questionnaire (TBQ), Smokers rated “To feel relaxed in social situations” as more important than SLT-Users in stimulating them to begin to use tobacco, and “Relaxes me when I am upset” as a much more important reason for continuing to smoke. In contrast, SLT-Users rated “To see if I would enjoy it” as more important than Smokers for beginning, and “Facilitates thinking” as more important for continuing to use tobacco.