Predictors of Initial Abstinence in Smokers Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Program

Abstract

The present study examined the relative contribution of nicotine dependence, self-efficacy, and stages of change variables in predicting the initial abstinence of 102 smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation program. Over half the participants were female, the majority were White, and about half were married or living with a partner. Data were collected between 2000 and 2002. When smoking abstinence was defined as having a breath carbon monoxide (CO) level < 4 ppm within 24 hours of enrollment in the study, low nicotine dependence and a higher level of contemplation both predicted abstinence. When other potentially confounding variables were included in the analysis, neither nicotine dependence nor contemplation was predictive of abstinence. When abstinence was defined as the number of study baseline days in which the participant had a breath CO level < 4 ppm, multiple-regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy predicted abstinence. Self-efficacy remained predictive when other potentially confounding variables were included in the analysis. These results suggest that all three types of constructs are useful in predicting initial smoking abstinence.

Keywords:

• Smoking cessation
• initial abstinence
• nicotine dependence
• stages of change
• self-efficacy.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

NANCY AMODEI

Nancy Amodei, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Besides her interest in smoking cessation research, Dr. Amodei conducts research and evaluation in the areas of repeat pregnancy, substance use, and HIV prevention among high-risk minority youth.

R. J. LAMB

R. J. Lamb, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. His primary research interests are in contingency management treatments of addiction, and in pre-clinical and clinical behavioral pharmacology related to addiction.