5. Conclusion and future directions
Findings from the present study indicate that there is a relationship between several facets of personality and smoking. While high scores on Self-discipline are related to a high likelihood of quitting smoking, high scores on Depression and Aesthetics predicted smoking at 12 months follow-up and high scores on Trust and Modesty were related to a greater likelihood of being abstinent a year later.
Smokers are not a homogenous group and information about personality facets may provide indications of which treatments are more likely to be effective. Clinical interventions to quit smoking could significantly increase their effectiveness by considering the characteristics of personality in the therapeutic process that is, by implementing treatment taking into account the facets of personality. Accordingly, smoking cessation interventions would need to be ‘‘targeted’’ on the personality profile of the smoker. For example, programs could include strategies adapted to the personality characteristics of the smoker (strategies for mood management in smokers with high scores in Depression; sensation-seeking control in smokers with high scores in Aesthetics, etc.).
Future studies should explore in more depth the contribution of personality facets to the achievement and maintenance of abstinence and to the improvement of treatment effectiveness. Personality research may enhance its knowledge about smoking behavior and could also have an important impact in smoking cessation programs.