Who is happier: smoker or non-smoker? Smoking in medical students from the perspective of positive psychology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of nicotine dependence with perceived happiness and experienced emotions in three groups, namely non-smokers, smokers, and those who quitted smoking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The total of 552 Poznan University of Medical Sciences students aged 21.84 +/- 3.95 (women: 83.3%, men: 16.7%) participated in this study. They were asked to fill out 4 questionnaires. Two were originally designed by the authors of this paper - one asked about some demographic information and the other described cigarette smoking. Happiness and its dimensions were measured using Fordyce's Happiness Measure and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). RESULTS: The obtained results point out some significant differences between smokers, non-smokers, and those who quitted smoking as to the levels of negative affect with respects to its two dimensions: Unpleasant and Frustrated. Smokers were characterized by a higher level of a negative affect than non-smokers, as well as higher scores for the Unpleasant and Frustrated dimensions compared to non-smokers and those who quitted smoking. As far as the positive affect of smokers and those who quitted smoking is concerned, a significant difference was observed for 5 dimensions: Interested, Inspired, Attentive, Determined and Active. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this paper can help us understand better the nicotine-dependent population in the context of positive psychology, and provide us with some basic information helpful in designing preventive programmes for nicotine addicts.