Somatic signs, perceived stress and self-efficacy in smoker and non-smoker students

authors:

avatar Saeed Ariapouran 1 , * , avatar Jahangir karami 2

Dept. of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Dept. of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: Vol.13, issue 4; e79582
published online: March 19, 2010
article type: Research Article
received: May 28, 2009
accepted: October 06, 2009

how to cite: Ariapouran S, karami J . Somatic signs, perceived stress and self-efficacy in smoker and non-smoker students. J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci. 2010;13(4):e79582. 

Abstract

Background: Somatic signs, Perceived Stress and Self-Efficacy are differ in smoker and non-smoker students. The purpose of present study was investigating the somatic symptoms, perceived stress and self-efficacy in smoker and non-smoker students.
Methods: 200 volunteer students, 100 smokers and 100 non-smokers, were selected and completed the somatic signs checklist, perceived stress and self-efficacy scales.
Results: The results indicated that in smoker students highest rate of somatic symptoms were chronic coughing (20%), respiratory diseases (17%), pulmonary problems (17%), acute headache (9%), dizziness and nausea (9%), fatigue and weakness (8%), and cardiovascular diseases (6%). Statistical analysis between smoker and non-smoker students showed that mean of negative perceived stress in smoker was significantly higher than non-smoker students 18.65±4.33 and 15.02±3.07 respectively (p=0.001). The mean of positive perceived stress in non-smoker students (15.86±2.92) was significantly higher than smoker students (13.08±2.37) (p=0.001).  The results confirmed that the self-efficacy in non-smoker students was significantly higher than smoker students (33.1±8/37 vs. 26.40±8.58 and p=0.001).
Conclusion: Our findings support the existence of somatic symptoms in smoker students and positive perceived stress and self-efficacy in non-smoker students. Training strategies of better coping with stress in students and referring smokers to the students counseling center to enhancement of self-efficacy is suggested.

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