Prediction of the Tendency to Smoke Based on Emotional Dyslexia and Cognitive Control

Abstract

Background: Smoking is a serious health threat, killing about 5 million people worldwide each year. By 2030, the number of diseases and deaths from tobacco use will reach 8 million per year. This study aims to investigate the prediction of smoking tendency based on emotional dyslexia and perceptual control with the mediation of risk perception. Method: This was a descriptive-correlational research conducted on all the 45,000 employees of Tehran Municipality who were working in 2019. The statistical sample consisted of 215 members of the aforementioned statistical population, which was determined using the usual sampling method in correlation studies and the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The instruments used included the smoking tendency questionnaire, the emotional nonverbal questionnaire, and the perceptual control questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 and Amos software version 22 at two descriptive (mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential (structural equation analysis) levels. Results: The coefficient of the direct path between alexithymia and the tendency to smoke was 0.380. It can be concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between alexithymia and the tendency to smoke. In addition, the coefficient of the direct path between perceptual control and the tendency to smoke was -0.250. Conclusion: There is a negative and significant relationship between cognitive control and the tendency to smoke. Therefore, by teaching people emotional regulation skills, a person can be prepared to face and solve problems and have constructive relationship with others.