Personality Traits or Genetic Determinants—Which Strongly Influences E-Cigarette Users?

Anna Grzywacz, Aleksandra Suchanecka, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Kamila Szumilas, Jolanta Masiak, Łukasz Balwicki, Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn and Grzegorz Trybek
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Anna Grzywacz: Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 11 Chlapowskiego St., 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
Aleksandra Suchanecka: Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 11 Chlapowskiego St., 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
Jolanta Chmielowiec: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
Krzysztof Chmielowiec: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
Kamila Szumilas: Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp.72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Jolanta Masiak: Neurophysiological Independent Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Łukasz Balwicki: Department of Public Health and Social Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 42A Zwyciestwa St., 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn: Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-853 Gdańsk, Poland
Grzegorz Trybek: Department of Oral Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 72 Powstańców Wlkp. St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Presently, a growing popularity of electronic cigarettes may be observed. Used as a means of obtaining nicotine they allow to substitute traditional cigarettes. The origins of substance use disorders are conditioned by dopaminergic signaling which influences motivational processes being elementary factors conditioning the process of learning and exhibiting goal-directed behaviors. The study concentrated on analysis of three polymorphisms located in the dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2) gene—rs1076560, rs1799732 and rs1079597 using the PCR method, personality traits determined with the Big Five Questionnaire, and anxiety measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. The study was conducted on a group of 394 volunteers, consisting e-cigarette users ( n = 144) and controls ( n = 250). Compared to the controls the case group subjects achieved significantly higher scores in regard to the STAI state and the trait scale, as well as the NEO-FFI Neuroticism and Openness scale. Likewise, in the case of the STAI state for DRD2 rs1076560 significant differences were found. Furthermore, while comparing the groups (e-cigarette users vs. controls) we noticed interactions for the NEO FFI Neuroticism and DRD2 rs1076560. The same was observed in the case of interactions significance while comparing groups (e-cigarette users vs. controls) for the STAI trait/scale and DRD2 rs1799732. Findings from this study demonstrate that psychological factors and genetic determinants should be analyzed simultaneously and comprehensively while considering groups of addicted patients. Since the use, and rapid increase in popularity, of electronic cigarettes has implications for public health, e-cigarette users should be studied holistically, especially younger groups of addicted and experimenting users.

Keywords: nicotine dependency; e-cigarettes; personality; dopamine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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