The Comparison of the Resiliency and Psychological Risk Factors between the Youth of Smokers and Non-smokers

Smoking is a main factor for incidence and progression of the chronic diseases and their related adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the resiliency and psychological risk factors between the youth of smokers and non-smokers. In a cross-sectional descriptive plan, among the youth of Semnan town, 300 participants (153 smokers and 147 non-smokers) were selected by convenience method. Participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21), Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale and Demographical Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The finding indicated that there was significant difference in resiliency, depression, and anxiety (p=0.001) and stress (p=0.005) between the youth of smokers and non-smokers. There was a significant difference in depression and stress regarding the confounding factor of age (p=0.013, p=0.36), but non-significant difference in resiliency and anxiety regarding the confounding factor of age (p=0.060, p=0.689). Also, there was a significant difference in resiliency and depression regarding to the confounding factor of gender (p=0.001, p=0.009), but non-significant difference in anxiety and stress regarding to the confounding factor of gender (p=0.135, p=0.247). In men and women subgroups, there was non-significant difference (p>0.05). Smokers in comparison with non-smokers had lower resiliency but higher depression, anxiety and stress. It is necessary to pay attention to resiliency improvement and reduction of these psychological risk factors in preventive and smoking cessation programs.