Personality and performance characteristics associated with cigarette smoking among college freshmen

Habitual cigarette smokers were located in a group of 2321 university freshmen. Smoking was related to both sex and social class. Matched samples of 401 smokers and nonsmokers were compared on a series of 70 dependent variables. Smokers were significantly lower in (1) cognitive ability, (2) high school and college grades, (3) 2 self-report health indices, (4) self-esteem, (5) work-motivation, and (6) attitudes toward men. The smokers scored higher on semiprojective measures of orality, social confidence, and acceptance of ambiguity. Data were most consistent with the stimulus hunger theory of smoking motivation. (24 ref.)