THE ABSTINENCE VIOLATION EFFECT FOLLOWING SMOKING LAPSES AND TEMPTATIONS

We evaluated abstinence violation effects (AVEs) (a constellation of n egative reactions to a lapse) following an initial lapse to smoking in 105 recent lapsers, and in temptation Episodes from these lapsers and from 35 maintainers. participants used paint-top computers to record AVE data within minutes of the episode, thus avoiding retrospective bi as. Lapses resulted in increased negative affect al rn decreased self- efficacy; participants also felt guilty and discouraged. Lapsers who a ttributed their lapse to more controllable causes felt worse and more guilty; attributions did not otherwise moderate affective or efficacy reactions. AVE intensify was unrelated to amount smoked length of abst inence, or performance of immediate or restorative coping. Temptations neither provoked an AVE nor enhanced self-efficacy in either lapsers or maintainers. Maintainers' reactions to temptations were nearly iden tical to lapsers: except that maintainers felt worse. The data demonst rate the reality of AVE reactions, but do not support hypotheses about their structure or determinants.