The comparing attentional bias and cognitive inhibition among smoker and non-smoker teenage students

Current study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between attentional bias and cognitive inhibition among smoker and non-smoker male teenage students.

The research design was causal-comparative and the Statistical population of this study was 62 teenage students that randomly selected from 10 high schools of Gorgan and Kordkoy. Attentional bias has been measured by spatial cueing software and cognitive inhibition through Complex Stroop software. Also, short form of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test has been executed and used as a control variable.

Data analysis using ANCOVA and MANCOVA showed that smokers’ group performance in stroop and behavioral tests were weaker the non-smokers group (p<0.01), smokers achieved higher scores in spatial cueing task (p<0.01).

The results showed cognitive inhibition ability was lower in smokers group. The findings of the present study can have implications for prevention and treatment of adolescent smoking.