Improving Understanding of the Quitting Process: Psychological Predictors of Quit Attempts Versus Smoking Cessation Maintenance among College Students

Abstract

This study examined motivation, positive and negative outcome expectations of quitting, and self-efficacy as predictors of quit attempts and cessation maintenance in a smoking cessation intervention for college students (N = 303). Psychological measures assessed at baseline were used to predict smoking behavior outcomes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression analysis revealed that motivation and self-efficacy were strong, differential predictors of quit attempts and cessation maintenance, respectively. This study extends the previous findings regarding psychological predictors of quitting processes to college students, and suggests the need for interventions tailored according to phases of quitting processes.

Keywords :

• Quit attempt
• cessation maintenance
• motivation
• outcome expectation
• self-efficacy

THE AUTHORS

Hyoung S. Lee, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at University of Washington Tacoma. His current research interests include the impact of psychosocial factors on health behaviors such as smoking and marijuana use; additionally he focuses on the adaptation of a comprehensive model of health status and the psychological measurement in a variety of populations.

Delwyn Catley, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Dentistry at the University of Missouri –Kansas City. His research focuses on health behavior change including the use of Motivational Interviewing. Much of this work is focused on underserved communities.

Kari Jo Harris, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a Professor in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences at the University of Montana. Her research interests include behavior change and tobacco use prevention and cessation, especially among special populations.

GLOSSARY

• Motivation: An inner drive to behave or act in a certain manner.

• Outcome expectation: Anticipated outcomes of engaging in a particular behavior.

• Self-efficacy: Belief in one's own ability to execute a particular behavioral sequence in order to achieve a goal or an outcome.