title: Reflexive reaction to feelings predicts failed smoking cessation better than does lack of general self-control.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many treatment-seeking smokers have difficulty quitting and maintaining abstinence. Trait impulsivity versus self-control is relevant to this problem. However, impulsivity is a multifaceted construct, and different measures emphasize different parts of it. This study compared 2 self-report measures of self-control versus impulsiveness as predictors of smoking cessation. One measure taps a very specific tendency to respond impulsively when experiencing emotions. The other taps overall self-control without reference to emotional states.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult smokers (N = 116) recruited from the community participated in a group-based smoking cessation intervention. The sample was racially/ethnically diverse, mostly male, middle aged, single, low income, and moderately nicotine dependent. Self-reports on scales titled Reflexive reaction to feelings and Self-control were completed at entry. Seven-day point prevalence abstinence (ppa) was assessed at end-of-therapy (EOT) and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) tested overall relationships of the self-report scales with 7-day ppa across the assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bivariate analyses revealed inverse associations between Reflexive reaction to feelings and 7-day ppa; a positive association emerged between Self-control and 7-day ppa only at EOT. A GEE found that elevated scores on Reflexive reaction to feelings predicted failure in smoking cessation across the study period (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.69 [0.49-0.96], p = .03) and that Self-control scores did not do so significantly (AOR = 1.26 [0.80-1.99], p = .32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results add to a literature suggesting the importance of emotion-related impulsivity to behavioral problems by showing its relevance to smoking cessation in treatment-seekers. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Webb Hooper
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Carver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*