Short-Term Tobacco Abstinence: Effects on Emotional Balance and Psychological Alienation.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that abstaining from tobacco smoking can influence emotional control and psychological well-being. This study examines the impact of short-term tobacco abstinence on emotional balance and psychological alienation through an experimental design.

Methods: A total of 197 participants from a university in Jordan (academic year 2023/2024) were divided into three groups: one group abstained from smoking for 24 h (n = 65) and another for 48 h (n = 61), while the control group (n = 71) continued smoking as usual. Emotional balance and psychological alienation were assessed across all groups.

Results: Participants who abstained from smoking (both 24 h and 48 h groups) reported lower scores on emotional balance and higher psychological alienation compared to the control group. Moreover, those in the 48 h abstinence group experienced significantly greater emotional imbalance and psychological alienation than those in the 24 h group. A significant negative correlation was found between emotional balance and psychological alienation in the 24 h abstinence and control groups, but not in the 48 h group.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that short-term tobacco abstinence negatively affects emotional stability and increases feelings of psychological alienation. These effects are more pronounced after 48 h of abstinence compared to 24 h.