Correlates of self-efficacy among rural smokers

Self-efficacy has been related to intent to stop smoking, abstinence success, and risk for relapse. Because limited research exists regarding self-efficacy among rural smokers, the current study examined correlates of self-efficacy among rural primary care patients smoking >= 10 cigarettes per day. Participants completed a telephone survey assessing demographics, smoking history, and psychosocial variables (e. g. motivation, depression). Among the 750 participants, lower self-efficacy was correlated with high depression scores, shorter previous abstinence, lower autonomous motivation, younger age, higher nicotine dependence, readiness to quit, and being female. Future studies should examine the potential to improve self-efficacy by addressing depression and autonomous motivation.