THE ROLE OF ATTACHMENT STYLES AND DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN DISCRIMINATING CIGARETTE SMOKER STUDENTS FROM NON-SMOKERS

Background and It is believed that insecure attachment styles and immature defense mechanisms render individuals vulnerable to cigarette and substance use; these people experience more negative emotions and have fewer options for reducing psychological distresses. The aim of the present research was to investigate the role of attachment styles defense mechanisms and health status in discriminating cigarette-smoker students from non-smokers. Methods and Materials: This research is a case-control study. The research sample consisted of 100 cigarette-smoker and 100 non-smoker students selected from among the students of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Data collection was done through the use of Attachment Styles Scale Defense Style Questionnaire and General Health Survey. In order to analyze the data discriminant analysis was used in SPSS 14. The results indicated that 71 percent of the variance of insecurity of attachment style immature defense mechanisms and health status can account for the only function between groups of smokers and non-smokers. The discriminant function obtained was classified correctly with the concurrent method for 94.5% of smokers and through step-by-step method for 93.5% of non-smokers. The results indicated that cigarette-smoking and nonsmoking university students can be discriminated through their immature defense mechanisms insecure attachment styles and health status.