Select Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales as predictors of tobacco abstinence following treatment for nicotine dependence

Trait anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and pessimism were investigated as predictors of tobacco abstinence 6 months post-treatment for cigarette smoking. The sample included 1877 adult patients treated for cigarette smoking at Mayo Clinic who had previously completed the Minnesota Mulnphasic Personality Inventory. Known predictors of tobacco abstinence were adjusted for in the final analyses (average cigarettes per day at the time of NDC consult, severity of nicotine dependence, stage of change at time of treatment, longest duration of previous abstinence, and gender). Results indicated that trait anxiety, neuroticism, and pessimism were significantly univariately associated with decreased likelihood of 6-month tobacco abstinence. Since prior evidence suggests that these traits are identifiable early in life and potentially modifiable, tobacco abstinence rates might be enhanced by offering treatment programs to smokers that are also designed to reduce symptoms related to their anxiety, neuroticism, and pessimism.