Self-concept changes over time in cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation.
A smoker self-concept and an abstainer self-concept are individual difference variables that have been shown to predict smoking cessation. We examined whether these self-concept constructs changed as a function of participating in a clinic-based smoking cessation program and, specifically, whether these changes occurred differentially between posttreatment smokers and abstainers. Subjects completed the Smoker Self-concept scale and the Abstainer Self-concept scale at three time points: pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3 months' posttreatment. Smoking status was assessed and biochemically verified directly after quit day and 3 months' posttreatment. Results indicated that abstainers' smoker self-concept decreased more precipitously over time compared to smokers'. Abstainers showed consistent increases over time in their abstainer self-concept, and smokers showed increases followed by decreases to pretreatment levels. Clinical implications are discussed.
Shadel
W G
WG
Miriam Hospital/Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
Mermelstein
R
R
Borrelli
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome