GOAL-SETTING AND BEHAVIOR-CHANGE IN A SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM

The present study examined (1) the role of self-efficacy, motivation a nd stress in subgoal setting and achievement in a smoking cessation pr ogram; (2) these variables along with subgoal setting and achievement in predicting abstinence; and (3) the type of subgoal achieved (direct or indirect) and its relationship to abstinence. A consistent negativ e relationship between self-efficacy and current subgoal setting was f ound for abstainers. However, in prospective analyses, prior subgoal s etting was the primary predictor of subsequent subgoal setting. Self-e fficacy and prior subgoal achievement were the most significant, posit ive predictors of subgoal achievement over time. Level of self-efficac y during treatment was the only significant variable to emerge in the prediction of followup abstinence after accounting for prior smoking s tatus, and appears to mediate the effect of subgoal achievement on out come. Abstainers and smokers at followup differed in their proportions of indirect subgoals achieved.