The critical role of abstinence self-efficacy in predicting smoking cessation among quit intenders

Background: Even a majority of smokers are motivated to quit smoking, research consistently finds that a small proportion of smokers could become abstinent to smoking. Previous studies suggest that having both high levels of autonomy in quitting motivations and self-efficacies enhance smokers’ likelihood to refrain from smoking successfully.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the roles of abstinence self-efficacy in high-risk conditions and autonomous motivations in predicting the progress of smoking cessation among smokers with quitting motivations.
Methods: A total of 61 Hong Kong Chinese smokers with quitting motivations were recruited from local smoking cessation centers at baseline, with 43 being successfully followed up one month after baseline (70.5%). Apart from motivations and self-efficacy, participants’ smoking habits were measured by questionnaires. Smoking status was also biochemically validated by carbon monoxide breath tests.

Results: ANOVA results showed that self-efficacy differentiated participants with different quitting progress. Compared to quitters, recalcitrant smokers and quit attempters reported significantly lower levels of self-efficacy when they were facing internal stimuli (e.g., feeling anxious) and external tempting conditions (e.g., having a drink and celebrating with friends) of smoking respectively.
Conclusions: This study suggests the important role of abstinence self-efficacy in bridging the behavioral intentions and actual smoking cessation among smokers with quitting motivations. To improve the success rate of smoking cessation, future programs and services are recommended to develop smokers’ skills in action planning and coping strategies in coping with temptations in pro-smoking social milieus.