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. 2009 Dec;104(12):2088-99.
doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02732.x.

Predictors of smoking relapse by duration of abstinence: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey

Natalie Herd  1 , Ron Borland, Andrew Hyland
Affiliations

Predictors of smoking relapse by duration of abstinence: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey

Natalie Herd et al. Addiction. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Aim: To explore predictors of smoking relapse and how predictors vary according to duration of abstinence.

Design, setting and participants: A longitudinal survey of 1296 ex-smokers recruited as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States). Measurements Quitters were interviewed by telephone at varying durations of abstinence (from 1 day to approximately 3 years) and then followed-up approximately 1 year later. Theorized predictors of relapse (i.e. urges to smoke; outcome expectancies of smoking and quitting; and abstinence self-efficacy) and nicotine dependence were measured in the survey.

Findings: Relapse was associated with lower abstinence self-efficacy and a higher frequency of urges to smoke, but only after the first month or so of quitting. Both these measures mediated relationships between perceived benefits of smoking and relapse. Perceived costs of smoking and benefits of quitting were unrelated to relapse.

Conclusions: Challenging perceived benefits of smoking may be an effective way to increase abstinence self-efficacy and reduce frequency of urges to smoke (particularly after the initial weeks of quitting), in order to reduce subsequent relapse risk.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The interaction between duration of abstinence and number of smokers among five closest friends as a predictor of relapse.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The interaction between duration of abstinence and frequency of urges to smoke as a predictor of relapse.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Duration of abstinence and perceived benefits of smoking as predictors of relapse.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The interaction between duration of abstinence and frequency of thoughts about the enjoyment of smoking as a predictor of relapse.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Duration of abstinence and abstinence self-efficacy as predictors of relapse.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The indirect effect of perceived benefits of smoking on relapse through frequency of urges to smoke and abstinence self-efficacy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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