DIFFERENTIAL BELIEFS, PERCEIVED SOCIAL INFLUENCES, AND SELF-EFFICACY EXPECTATIONS AMONG SMOKERS IN VARIOUS MOTIVATIONAL PHASES

Background. The ASE model, an integration of social psychological mode ls, states that motivational phases and the transition from one phase to another can be predicted by behavioral determinants, The goal of th e present study was to replicate the so-called o pattern that was foun d in earlier Dutch studies, Methods. In four cross-sectional studies ( N = 918, N = 354, N = 225, N = 317), smokers filled in a questionnaire based on the ASE model, while the motivational phase question was bas ed on the stage definitions from the Transtheoretical model. Results, Precontemplating smokers perceived fewer advantages of quitting than c ontemplators. Precontemplators encountered less support for quitting t han contemplators, Contemplators reported lower self-efficacy expectat ions than those in preparation, while this group had lower self-effica cy expectations than respondents in action. Ex-smokers in maintenance reported fewer disadvantages of quitting than those in action. Conclus ions. Since changes in cognitive determinants are thought to mediate t ransitions in motivational phases, the results can be used to tailor h ealth education messages to the needs of smokers in the various motiva tional phases. The results suggest that smokers in precontemplation wo uld benefit most from information about the pros of quitting and from obtaining support for quitting. Smokers in contemplation and preparati on may benefit most from self-efficacy-enhancing information. (C) 1998 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.