Self-esteem and self-efficacy as predictors of success in smoking cessation

The purpose of this study was to compare psychological, biophysical, and socioeconomic variables as predictors of success in smoking cessation adherence among adults who have participated in a smoking cessation program. The purposive sample (N = 75) was selected from participants of 10 smoking cessation programs in Texas who were measured for self-esteem and self-efficacy at the beginning of their program using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Stanton's revised Self-Efficacy for Smoking Cessation Questionnaire. Subjects self-reported their smoking/nonsmoking status and use/nonuse of the nicotine patch at the end of their program via postcards and at 3 months later through a phone interview with the researcher. Using discriminant analysis, the psychological variables correctly classified 75% of the subjects at the 3-month follow-up as smoking or nonsmoking (based on their preprogram scores of self-esteem and self-efficacy). With this sample, the biophysical and socioeconomic variables were insignificant in their ability to predict smoking cessation adherence.