Understanding perspectives on smoking cessation based on Self-Determination Theory: A qualitative study
Maarit Malin1, Minna Majuri1,2, Ville Lahtinen3
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland.
Tobacco Prevention & Cessation
|December 25, 2025
Summary
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) enhances smoking cessation by focusing on psychological needs. Supporting autonomy, competence, and relatedness is crucial for lasting behavioral change in smoking cessation treatment and support.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Smoking cessation requires high motivation for sustained behavioral change.
- Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) are vital for motivation.
- Understanding participants' perceptions of SDT in smoking cessation treatment and support (SCTS) is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how participants perceive the importance of SDT's basic psychological needs in SCTS.
- To examine the influence of SDT on participants' responses within SCTS.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing SDT-driven content analysis.
- Co-design workshop with 12 participants in Finland (2019).
- Analysis of group dialogues to assess SDT's influence on SCTS perceptions.
Main Results:
- Qualitative analysis confirmed the importance of autonomous motivation in smoking cessation.
- Ten categories emerged, all linked to basic psychological needs.
- Autonomy was the most frequently cited need (41.2%), followed by competence (34.6%) and relatedness (24.2%).
Conclusions:
- Health practitioners should address autonomy, competence, and relatedness in SCTS.
- Tailoring support, offering choices, and providing positive feedback enhance cessation.
- Acknowledging individual differences and psychological needs improves SCTS effectiveness.
Keywords:
Self-Determination Theoryhealthcare professionalsindividuals’ perspectivesqualitative researchsmoking cessation treatment and supportMore Related Videos
14:21Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
18.8K
08:53Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
5.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory
14.9K
Self-Determination Theory (SDT), formulated by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, explains that human motivation is driven by three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs are met, individuals experience personal growth, intrinsic motivation, and overall well-being.
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who...
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who...
14.9K
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.8K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
18.8K
01:25Self-Regulation
194
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
194
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
225
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
225
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
43.4K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
43.4K
01:29Self-Efficacy
175
Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capacity to organize and execute actions necessary to manage prospective situations. This belief significantly influences how individuals approach goals, tasks, and challenges across different domains of life.Psychological and Educational ImpactsIndividuals with strong self-efficacy are more resilient in the face of difficulties. They are more likely to adopt effective problem-solving strategies, persist through obstacles, and regulate emotions such as...
175