The relationship between self-efficacy and nicotine withdrawal severity among adult smokers

Cigarette smokers who have low confidence in their ability to resist temptations to smoke or to quit smoking altogether (i.e., low quitting-related self-efficacy) are more likely to relapse during an attempt to quit smoking. Therefore, it is important to understand what factors influence quitting-related self-efficacy, especially during early abstinence when relapse is most likely to occur. Social cognitive theory suggests two competing hypotheses: (1) negative emotional and physiological states, such as those associated with the nicotine withdrawal syndrome, will reduce self-efficacy related to smoking cessation; and (2) low self-efficacy will increase an individual's susceptibility to arousal, such as the negative emotions and physiological responses associated with nicotine withdrawal. The current preliminary study prospectively examined the association between nicotine withdrawal severity and self-efficacy in 21 adult, heavy smokers (23.8% female) at three time points during the first 48 h of abstinence from smoking cigarettes. Results indicated that withdrawal severity did not predict self-efficacy. Instead, self-efficacy after 24 h of abstinence showed a trend toward predicting withdrawal severity at 48 h of abstinence. Findings suggest the possibility that low self-efficacy may be associated with an increase in nicotine withdrawal severity, and also suggest the presence of a dynamic relationship between self-efficacy and nicotine withdrawal.