“I'm not the anti-smoker now. I just don't smoke anymore”: social obstacles to quitting smoking among emerging adults

Background: Emerging adulthood presents unique challenges to smoking cessation that are not well understood. During this phase, smoking identities can develop that become obstacles for quitting, particularly in social situations where smoking is accepted and expected. Using a social identity approach, this study explores how social relationships and normative group behaviours can be barriers to transitioning from a smoker to non-smoker identity. Method: Six focus groups of five participants (N = 30) were conducted with participants aged 18-25 years (57% male). Participants’ smoking status was ascertained to construct six groups, two each of daily smokers, occasional (non-daily) smokers, and ex-smokers. Results: Salient in-group identities invoked out-group comparisons that could create barriers to change including feeling conflicted about becoming a “non-smoker”, and maintenance of pro-smoking group norms. Three subthemes were identified: 1) Managing the division between smoker and non-smoker groups; 2) The isolation associated with navigating others’ expectations about quitting when attempting to quit; and 3) Encountering normative in-group smoking-related behaviours when attempting to quit. Conclusions: The transition from smoker to non-smoker, when understood from a social identity approach, is not straightforward. Identifying as a smoker can invoke negative judgements from non-smokers while, conversely, attempting to quit may lead to perceived rejection among smokers. Further research is needed to explore whether perceptions of social risk can be reduced by increasing the salience of a transitional “quitter” identity that helps to reduce the perceived gap between “smoker” and “non-smoker”.</p

Predicting men’s intentions to seek help for cancer symptoms: a comparison of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model

Targeted behavioural interventions are needed to address psychosocial factors leading to slower help-seeking for cancer symptoms among men. This study compared the variance in men’s help-seeking intentions explained by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model. A cross-sectional survey of 127 men was conducted, testing symptom knowledge and theory-derived constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioural control) and Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers). The outcome variable was intention to seek help for cancer symptoms. Separate and combined hierarchical regressions tested the relative predictive power of the two models, potential overlap in variance explained, and the most salient constructs within the models. Separate regressions (controlling for age and symptom knowledge) showed each model explained 10–12% variance in men’s help-seeking intentions over and above the adjusted variables. The combined regression indicated symptom knowledge, perceived benefits, and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of men’s intentions (35% total variance explained). The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model may not be optimal models for explaining men’s help-seeking intentions for cancer symptoms, however, select constructs are important correlates. Future interventions may usefully target symptom knowledge, health beliefs, and control beliefs.</p

Additional file 1: of Who drinks sugar sweetened beverages and juice? An Australian population study of behaviour, awareness and attitudes

Questionnaire and corresponding variable sub-categories. List of questions asked during the interview. (DOCX 21 kb

Additional file 1 of Patient-reported functional outcome measures and treatment choice for prostate cancer

Supplementary Material