Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Self-efficacy and smoking cessation maintenance: A preliminary report

  • Published:
Cognitive Therapy and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study operationalized the construct of self-efficacy developed by Bandura and applied it to the problem of long-term maintenance of smoking cessation. A measure of self-efficacy for avoiding smoking was used to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy and subjects' ability to maintain posttreatment abstinence at a 5-month follow-up. Subjects were confirmed, heavy smokers who previously had quit smoking by three different procedures. Subjects were administered the self-efficacy measure and a demographic and smoking history questionnaire an average of 4 weeks after quitting smoking. Maintenance was assessed at 5-month follow-up. Two-thirds of all subjects successfully maintained nonsmoking at follow-up with no group differences for success. Maintainers (N = 42)did not differ from recidivists (N = 21)on any demographic or smoking history variables. However, maintainers did show significantly higher self-efficacy scores than recidivists. The measure of self-efficacy for smoking cessation maintenance demonstrated good internal consistency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference Note

  • Bandura, A. Personal communication, February 1979.

References

  • Bandura, A. Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.Psychology Review 1977,84(2), 191–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., & Adams, N. E. Analysis of self-efficacy theory of behavioral change.Cognitive Therapy and Research 1977,1(4), 287–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., Adams, N. E., & Beyer, J. Cognitve processes mediating behavioral change.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1977,35(3), 125–139.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, D., & McAlister, A. The modification of smoking behavior: Progress and problems.Addictive Behavior 1976,1 89–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente, C. C.Perceived change processes in the succesful cessation of smoking behavior and the maintenance of this change. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Rhode Island, 1978.

  • Hollingshead, A. B., & Redlich, F. C.Scoial class and mental illness. New York: Wiley Press, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, W. A., Barnett, L. W., & Branch, L. G. Relapse rates in addiction programs.Journal of Clinical Psychology 1971,27 455–456.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, W. A., & Bespalec, D. A. An evaluation of current methods of modifying smoking behavior.Journal of Clinical Psychology 1974,30(4), 431–438.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Litman, G. K., Eiser, J. R., & Taylor, C. Dependence, relapse and extinction: A theoretical critique and a behavioral examination.Journal of Clinical Psychology 1979,35(1), 192–199.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, G. A. Craving for alcohol, loss of control and relapse: A cognitive-behavioral analysis. In P. E. Nathan, G. A. Marlatt, & T. Loberg (Eds.),Alcoholism: New directions in behavioral research and treatment. New York: Plenum, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, G. A., & Gordon, J. R. Determinants of relapse: Implications for the maintenance of behavior change. In P. Davidson (Ed.),Behavioral medicine: Changing health lifestyles. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFall, R. M. Smoking cessation research.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1978,46(4), 703–712.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rotter, J. B. Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement.Psychological Monographs, 1966,80(1, Whole No. 609).

  • Schwartz, J. L. Research methodology in smoking cessation: A critique. In J. Steinfeld, W. Griffiths, K. Ball, & R. M. Taylor (Eds.),Proceedings of the Third World Conference on Smoking and Health, June 1975 (DHEW Publication No. NIH 77-1413). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J. L. Status of cessation control programs in Europe and North America. In J. Steinfeld, W. Criffiths, K. Ball, & R. M. Taylor (Eds.),Proceedings of the Third World Conference on Smoking and Health, June 1975 (DHEW Publication No. NIH 77-1413). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, S. R. Interpreting relapse curves.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1979,47(1), 96–98.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adult Outpatient Services, Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences, 1300 Moursund Avenue, 77030, Houston, Texas, USA

    Carlo C. DiClemente

Authors
  1. Carlo C. DiClemente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

DiClemente, C.C. Self-efficacy and smoking cessation maintenance: A preliminary report. Cogn Ther Res 5, 175–187 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172525

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172525

Keywords

Search

Navigation