HUBUNGAN ANTARA TINGKAT STRES DENGAN PERILAKU MEROKOK PADA MAHASISWA PUTRI

The prevalence of female smokers is lower than that of male smokers, but this smoking trend is increasing in several young age groups, especially among adolescents and female students. Smoking behavior can be influenced by several factors such as knowledge about cigarettes, curiosity about cigarettes, the influence of family or friends, and perceptions of health risks. Individuals tend to use various coping mechanisms to deal with the pressure or stress they are experiencing. One form of coping is smoking, because this activity can provide a temporary relaxation effect and reduce psychological tension. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stress levels and smoking behavior in female students. This study used a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The study sample consisted of 132 female students selected using a combination of purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques. The instruments used included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a smoking behavior scale. Data analysis was conducted using the Spearman's rho test. The results showed a positive relationship between stress levels and smoking behavior in female students, but with a weak relationship (ρ = 0.335). This finding indicates that the higher the stress level in an individual, the higher the individual tends to engage in smoking behavior.