The Effect of Examination Stress on Tobacco Usage amongst Undergraduate Smokers

The Effect of Examination Stress on Tobacco Usage amongst Undergraduate Smokers

Previous studies have revealed that tobacco contains chemicals known to reduce stress and anxiety (Kenney, 2006). Indeed, smokers claim to use tobacco as a tool to enhance mood and improve task performance (Croghan, 2006). This is especially true of college students who have the highest amount of tobacco usage and whose tobacco use increases during academic examination periods (Oaten & Cheng, 2005). In this study, we will test the re lat io ns hip be twe e n e xa minat io n st ress a nd le ve ls o f tobacco use. S ixt y undergraduate smokers will be tested twice, one month prior to class examination (baseline) and then twenty minutes prior to the final examination (examination stress).They will be asked to complete three surveys: the Perceived Stress Scale, Gadzella‘sStudent-life Stress Inventory (perceived stress), and a newly developed survey regarding their tobacco usage (dependent variable) within the last 3 days. We expect participants with an increased level of perceived stress to report higher levels of tobacco usage during the examination period. Findings from this study will provide an important first step in quantifying the levels of stress (as measured though self report) which lead to increased tobacco use in college students.