Social cognitive predictors of smoking cessation intentions among smoker employees: the roles of anticipated regret and social norms

Abstract

The present study assessed the effects of anticipated regret, social norms, and related social cognitions on smoking cessation intentions among indoor employees in a pro-smoking culture. Overall, 93 daily smokers completed anonymous structured questionnaires assessing attitudinal and health beliefs about tobacco use, social norms, quitting self-efficacy, and anticipated regret. Past quit attempts and tobacco dependence were also measured. Hierarchical linear regression and mediation analyses showed that attitudes toward quitting, self-efficacy and anticipated regret significantly predicted cessation intentions, over and above past quit attempts and tobacco dependence. Unlike in previous studies, tobacco dependence, descriptive norms and smoke-free policies did not directly influence quit intentions in our sample of smokers. Anticipated regret mediated the effects of attitudes and social norms on cessation intentions.