Prediction of the Tendency to Smoke Based on Emotional Dyslexia and Cognitive Control

Background: Smoking is a serious health threat, killing about ۵ million people worldwide each year. By ۲۰۳۰, the number of diseases and deaths from tobacco use will reach ۸ million per year. This study aims to investigate the prediction of smoking tendency based on emotional dyslexia and perceptual control with the mediation of risk perception. Method: This was a descriptive-correlational research conducted on all the ۴۵,۰۰۰ employees of Tehran Municipality who were working in ۲۰۱۹. The statistical sample consisted of ۲۱۵ members of the aforementioned statistical population, which was determined using the usual sampling method in correlation studies and the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The instruments used included the smoking tendency questionnaire, the emotional nonverbal questionnaire, and the perceptual control questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version ۲۵ and Amos software version ۲۲ at two descriptive (mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential (structural equation analysis) levels. Results: The coefficient of the direct path between alexithymia and the tendency to smoke was ۰.۳۸۰. It can be concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between alexithymia and the tendency to smoke. In addition, the coefficient of the direct path between perceptual control and the tendency to smoke was -۰.۲۵۰. Conclusion: There is a negative and significant relationship between cognitive control and the tendency to smoke. Therefore, by teaching people emotional regulation skills, a person can be prepared to face and solve problems and have constructive relationship with others.