Social influence processes in smoking cessation: postquitting predictors of long-term outcome

Participants in a smoking cessation program completed measures of positive and negative social influence processes related to maintaining abstinence, along with measures previously associated with success in smoking cessation (e.g., motivation, stress, nicotine dependence). The relationship of these variables to smoking status at three assessments (postquitting, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups) was evaluated in a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that while variables such as nicotine dependence, motivation, and stress predicted postquitting status, social influence processes were the most important predictors of longer term outcome. Both increased support and hindrances from friends/coworkers were related to returning to smoking at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Support and hindrance from partners/spouses was not related to smoking status at any time. The need for a broadened, multidimensional conceptualization of social influence processes in smoking cessation is discussed.