Self-Exempting Beliefs and Intention to Quit Smoking within a Socially Disadvantaged Australian Sample of Smokers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Ashleigh Guillaumier⁴  Billie Bonevski⁴  Christine Paul²  Catherine D𠆞ste⁵  Laura Twyman⁴  Kerrin Palazzi¹  Christopher Oldmeadow¹  Coral Gartner³ 

[1] Clinical Research Design IT and Statistical Support Unit, University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle 2305, Australia;School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle 2305, Australia;;School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, P.O. Box 833, Newcastle NSW 2300, AustraliaSchool of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, P.O. Box 833, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia;National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia;

关键词: self-exempting beliefs;    smoking;    disadvantage;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph13010118

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

An investigation of beliefs used to rationalise smoking will have important implications for the content of anti-smoking programs targeted at socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, who show the lowest rates of cessation in the population. This study aimed to assess the types of self-exempting beliefs reported by a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, and identify associations between these beliefs and other smoking-related factors with quit intentions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March–December 2012 with smokers seeking welfare assistance in New South Wales (NSW), Australia (n = 354; response rate 79%). Responses to a 16-item self-exempting beliefs scale and intention to quit, smoker identity, and enjoyment of smoking were assessed. Most participants earned p < 0.01). After adjusting for smoking-related variables only “skeptic” beliefs were significantly associated with intention to quit (p = 0.02). Some of these beliefs are incorrect and could be addressed in anti-smoking campaigns.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.