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Published on: August 6, 2013
Do resisted temptations during smoking cessation deplete or augment self-control resources?
Kathleen A O'Connell1, Joseph E Schwartz, Saul Shiffman
1Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College-Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. oconnell@tc.columbia.edu
Summary
Successfully resisting smoking temptations may strengthen self-control, contrary to the resource depletion model. This study found resisting temptations lowered relapse risk, offering a novel perspective on self-control maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- The resource depletion model suggests self-control is a finite resource that diminishes after use.
- This model predicts that exerting self-control, such as resisting temptations, should reduce subsequent self-control capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the resource depletion model of self-control in the context of smoking cessation.
- To test if resisting temptations or the intensity of urges predicts subsequent self-control and relapse risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two large, real-time datasets from individuals attempting to quit smoking.
- Employed survival and multilevel regression modeling to analyze temptation episodes and urge intensity.
- Examined the impact of the number and duration of resisted temptations and urge intensity on relapse likelihood.
Main Results:
- Contrary to the resource depletion hypothesis, the number of recently resisted temptations predicted a lower risk of lapsing.
- The duration of resisted temptations did not significantly affect relapse risk.
- The intensity of the most recently reported urge predicted lapsing in one dataset but not the other.
Conclusions:
- The study found little support for the resource depletion model in smoking cessation.
- Successfully resisting temptations appeared to have a protective effect, reducing the risk of lapsing.
- These findings challenge conventional views on self-control as a purely depletable resource.
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