The present study investigated the applicability among adolescents of
self-attributions about smoking previously identified among adults. Fu
rther, the interplay between motivational and ability related factors
in predicting adolescents' intention to try to quit smoking was invest
igated. Data were collected by questionnaire and included 290 smokers.
The measures included self-attributions about smoking, perceived addi
ction, perceived health threat of smoking, previous quit attempts, con
fidence in the ability to quit and intention to try to quit smoking. A
three dimensional structure of the self-attributional items was extra
cted; external attributions, using smoking as a coping mechanism, and
health concern. in a multiple regression analysis, 34% of the variance
in intention to quit smoking was explained. The effect from previous
quit attempts, perceived addiction, and using smoking as a coping mech
anism was mediated through the other cognitive variables. Concern abou
t health consequences had strongest effect on intention to quit, indic
ating the relevance of focusing on health information also among adole
scents.