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

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.