MODIFICATION OF SMOKING-HABITS 5 MONTHS AFTER MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION -RELATIONSHIP WITH PERSONALITY-CHARACTERISTICS

The relationship between personality characteristics and spontaneous m odification of smoking habits was assessed in 164 patients after their first myocardial infarction (MI). Smoking habits before the MI were i nvestigated in retrospect and 5 months later. Smoking appeared to have decreased significantly. Persistent smokers could be differentiated f rom nonsmokers and exsmokers by a significantly high level of state-an xiety and depression. Young persistent smokers had a high level of dep ression; elderly persistent smokers were highly anxious and had a low level of somatization. The relationship between smoking behaviour modi fication and personality characteristics is discussed in association w ith intervention programmes.