DECISION-MAKING, SENSATION-SEEKING, AND RISK APPRAISAL IN SMOKING AND NON SMOKING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
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Date
0023-06-12
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KINNAIRE COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Abstract
The research aimed to examine the relationship between decision-making, sensation-seeking, and
risk appraisal in smoking and non-smoking university students and to find out the predictors of
risk appraisal in these university students. A cross-sectional research design was used. The
sample of the study was university students (N=200), age range 18-27 years (M=22.5, SD=4.67)
were selected using purposive sampling from different private and government universities of
Lahore. The questionnaires used in the study were Decision-making Scale (Mann et al., 1997),
Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (Hoyle et al., 2002), and Risk Appraisal Scale (Lipkus & Mays,
2018). In smoking students, the result showed a significant negative relationship between the
aspects of decision-making and sensation-seeking, and risk appraisal. While in smokers the
results showed a significant positive relationship between decision-making and risk appraisal and
a significant negative relationship between both variables with sensation-seeking. After
controlling for the effect of control variables, the buck-passing aspect of decision-making
emerged as a significant predictor of perceived harm while decision self-esteem, vigilance, and
disinhibition emerged as the significant predictors of worry about harm and addiction.
Experience Seeking, thrill and adventure seeking, and boredom susceptibility turned out to be
significant predictors of smoking behavior. The results can be used by researchers to develop
targeted interventions aimed at reducing smoking behaviors in university students. The study
highlights the role of sensation-seeking behavior in the development of smoking behavior among
university students. This outcome may be used to increase awareness among the student
population about the potential risks associated with smocking.
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Keywords
Smoking university students, non-smoking university students, sensation seeking, decision-making, risk appraisal.