you will not smoke during the next six months?’) and the number of previous quit
attempts. Therefore, the process of smoking cessation can be explored using either a
stages of change perspective, individual cognitions or structured models such as the TPB.
FOCUS ON RESEARCH 5.1: TESTING A THEORY – STAGES OF SMOKING CESSATION
A study to examine the stages of change in predicting smoking cessation
(DiClemente et al. 1991).
Traditionally addictive behaviours were viewed as ‘either/or’ behaviours. Therefore,
smokers were considered either smokers, ex-smokers or non-smokers. However,
DiClemente and Prochaska (1982) developed their transtheoretical model of change to
examine the stages of change in addictive behaviours. This study examined the validity
of the stages of change model and assessed the relationship between stage of change and
smoking cessation.
Background
The original stages of change model describes the following stages:
Precontemplation: not seriously considering quitting in the next six months.
Contemplation: considering quitting in the next six months.
Action: making behavioural changes.
Maintenance: maintaining these changes.
The model is described as dynamic, not linear with individuals moving backwards
and forwards across the stages. In this study, the authors categorized those in the con-
templation stage as either contemplators (not considering quitting in the next 30 days)
and those in the preparation stage (planning to quit in the next 30 days).
Methodology
Subjects A total of 1466 subjects were recruited for a minimum intervention smok-
ing cessation programme from Texas and Rhode Island. The majority of the sub-
jects were white, female, had started smoking at about 16 and smoked on average 29
cigarettes a day.
Design The subjects completed a set of measures at baseline and were followed up at
one and six months.
Measures The subjects completed the following set of measures:
Smoking abstinence self-efficacy (DiClemente et al. 1985), which measures the
smokers’ confidence that they would not smoke in 20 challenging situations.
SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE 115