An Empirical Test of the Trans-Theoretical Model and Smoking Cessation Self-Efficacy

• Main Authors: Wen-Yi Peng, 彭文儀
• Other Authors: 董和銳
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/54611017981380081695

碩士 === 亞洲大學 === 健康管理研究所 === 98 === Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death. Smoking has been linked to a variety of diseases and it plays a causal role in the etiology of lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and other disorders. A great number of lives could be saved if smoking could be prevented. Many theories and models have been developed to understand the smoking behavior. The Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) states that behavior change is a process rather than an event. The process involves progress through a series of stages. The purpose of this study was to empirically test the validity of the TTM when applying to a group of smokers and to understand the relationships between self-efficacy and the TTM constructs. Our study sample came from a part of a large cross-sectional survey regarding tobacco use among the military personnel in Taiwan, which was conducted in 2004. A total of 593 heavy smokers were identified and a structural questionnaire was administered to collect information on these smokers’ self-efficacy, TTM-related constructs, and impediments in quitting cigarettes. Our findings include: (1) most of the smokers were in the pre-contemplation stage (47.9%); (2) subjects at different stages have a different smoking cessation impediments profiles; (3) The self-efficacy scores in resistance to smoking were significantly higher among the subjects who were at the latter stages, when compared to those at the earlier stages; (4) subjects who were at different stages of readiness in quitting smoking varies significantly in their decision balance scores, pros and cons score, and process of change scores. Based on these results, we conclude that the TTM is a useful and valid model in terms of differentiates smokers’ readiness into meaning stages. The TTM can be used to guide future smoking cessation interventions and to provide a process of change guideline. For different smokers at different stages, specific processes and principles of change should be applied.