Associations between Cloninger's temperament dimensions and acute tobacco withdrawal

Abstract

This study examined associations between three temperament dimensions measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory-125 [Cloninger, C.R. (1992). The Temperament and Character Inventory-125 (TCI-125; Version 1.)] and tobacco abstinence effects. Smokers (N=203, >/= 15 cigarettes/day) attended two laboratory sessions, one following 12 h of abstinence and the other following ad libitum smoking (order counterbalanced). Participants completed measures of withdrawal symptoms, cigarette urges, and affect. Smokers high in Novelty Seeking reported greater abstinence-induced increases in several nicotine withdrawal symptoms, negative affect, and cigarette craving. Smokers high in Harm Avoidance reported greater abstinence-induced increases in negative affect and urges to smoke to relieve distress. Reward Dependence was not associated with abstinence effects. Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance showed independent predictive associations with negative affect and urges, and their associations with abstinence effects persisted when controlling for FTND scores. Smokers with different temperaments display different patterns of acute tobacco withdrawal, and may benefit from treatments matched to their particular abstinence profile.

Figure 1. Associations between TCI dimensions and abstinence effects, adjusted by age, ethnicity, gender, and FTND scores

Note. Data are standardized regression coefficients (beta values) from multiple regression analyses. TCI scores were the independent variable (tested individually in separate models), and abstinence-induced change scores (score while abstinent – score while non-abstinent) were the dependent variables. For each TCI score, each abstinence effect was tested in a separate model (adjusting for age, ethnicity, gender, and FTND score). TCI = Temperament and Character Inventory; NS = Novelty Seeking; HA = Harm Avoidance; RD = Reward Dependence; FTND = Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence; HHWQ = Hughes Hatsukami Withdrawal Questionnaire; WSWS = Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale; Ang = anger; Anx = anxiety; Sad = sadness; Conc = concentration difficulty; Crav = craving; Hung = hunger; Pos Aff = PANAS-Positive Affect Score; Neg Aff = PANAS-Negative Affect Score; QSU = Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges; F1 = factor 1; F2 = factor 2 Associations above the broken horizontal line are statistically significant, βs > .1390, ps < .05.