Abstract
Self-efficacy regarding the ability to stop smoking is considered a key factor for successful smoking cessation. However, research has found a weak link between self-efficacy and the intention to stop smoking. The present study aimed to gain a clearer understanding of this weak link, hypothesizing opposing effects of self-efficacy regarding the intention to quit. A representative sample of daily Smokers in Switzerland (N = 362) completed a questionnaire. As expected, two opposing effects of self-efficacy were found: Self-efficacy was directly associated with the intention to quit, but self-efficacy was negatively linked to risk perception, resulting in a weakened intention to quit. This model explains the overall weak effect of selfefficacy on intention to quit. However, contrary to the hypotheses, dependence was not found to moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and intention to quit. Implications for interventions and future research are discussed.
Poggiolini, Claudia