Readiness to quit as a predictor of smoking changes in the Minnesota Heart Health Program.
The relation between two indexes of readiness to quit smoking obtained at baseline and subsequent quitting 2-7 years later was examined. Baseline data from the Minnesota Heart Health Program were used to construct 3-item composites of interest in quitting (alpha = .76) and past quitting behavior (alpha = .64). With baseline smoking controlled, both measures predicted quitting at the 2- and 7-year follow-ups but not at 4 years. Only interest in quitting was significant at the 7-year follow-up when both indexes entered the model. Given the representative community sample and the long interval from baseline to the final assessment, the findings provide support for the readiness construct.
Lichtenstein
E
E
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene 97403-1983.
Lando
H A
HA
Nothwehr
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009042:Motivation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*