PROSPECTIVE PREDICTORS OF QUIT ATTEMPTS AND SMOKING CESSATION IN YOUNG-ADULTS

This study examined prospective predictors of attempts to quit smoking and successful quitting among those who attempted to quit (n = 700), using a long-term longitudinal study of the natural history of cigaret te smoking in a midwestern community sample. Participants, originally surveyed in 6th-12th grade (1980-1983), were followed up in 1987 and 1 994. Results showed that amount of smoking, gender, education, health beliefs about smoking, value on healthy lifestyle, motives for smoking , reasons for quitting, and occupancy of young adult social roles were significant predictors of cessation. However, there were different pr edictors of attempts to quit and successful quitting among those who a ttempted to quit. From a public health perspective, both predictors of quit attempts and predictors of successful quitting among attempters are useful targets for intervention.