Health Locus of Control and Health Value in the Prediction of Smoking Reduction

Abstract

Thirty-five participants in a smoking cessation program met weekly for seven weeks in small groups and then were assigned to one of four follow-up procedures for an additional eight weeks. Information on smoking levels was obtained at the beginning of the program, at the end of the seven-week treatment period, at the end of the two-month follow- up period, and during an additional five-month extended follow-up period. As hypothesized from social learning theory, individuals who held internally-oriented health locus of control beliefs and who valued health highly were most successful in achieving and maintaining changes in their smoking behavior. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the problem of maintenance of behavior changes achieved by smoking cessation programs.