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Identifier

000466155

Title

Αντιλαμβανόμενος κίνδυνος και αντιλήψεις εθισμού σε σχέση με την καπνιστική συμπεριφορά και ο ρόλος της αυτό-αποτελεσματικότητας στην κινητοποίηση για διακοπή του καπνίσματος : Μια ποιοτική μελέτη σε ενήλικες Κρητικούς

Alternative Title

Risk and addiction perceptions in relation to smoking behaviors and the effect of self-efficacy οn the motivation to quit

Author

Ζερβού, Θεονύμφη

Thesis advisor

Τσιλιγιάννη, Ιωάννα
Σχίζα, Σοφία

Reviewer

Μπουλουκάκη, Ιζόλδη
Χριστοδουλάκης, Αντώνιος

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking continues to be one of the main factors associated with morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Smokers, although fully aware of the harmful nature of cigarettes, continue to smoke, ignoring the potential dangers. Methodology: Cretan adults, active smokers, ex-smokers or non-smokers, all of them beneficiaries of the 4th Regional Health Unit of the municipality of Heraklion were called in personal interviews. The questions set to them raised four different topics of discussion: perceived risk, perceptions of addiction and smoking cessation, perceived benefits of cessation and perceptions of self-efficacy. Active smokers were also asked about their intention to quit smoking. The entire process was concluded after 60 interviews, as a repetition in the participants’ answers was detected. Results: Ex-smokers had a negative inclination towards smoking, even more so than non-smokers, whereas smokers seemed to underestimate their own personal relative risk for adverse health problems in relation to their smoking behavior. Ex-smokers also had an elevated sense of self-efficacy related to their smoking status and self-efficacy was considered crucial by the entirety of the participants in order to achieve smoking cessation. Specifically: Perceived Risk: Active smokers’ perceived relative risk was low, highlighting the phenomenon of optimistic bias. Ex smokers reported more negative consequences of smoking than active or non smokers. Non smokers didn’t consider themselves fully protected from developing smoking related diseases due to passive smoking. Perceived benefits of cessation: Based on their personal experiences, ex and non smokers argued that smoking cessation induces a plethora of undisputed health benefits. Some of the active smokers, on the other hand, seemed to be more reluctant to make specific statements, presenting only a generalized version of their point of view on the matter. Perceptions of addiction and smoking cessation: All of the participants, regardless of their smoking status, associated addiction with loss of control and most of them connected nicotine addiction to the enjoyment of smoking as a behavior. However, ex and non smokers defined addiction as an internal, mental process. Perceptions of self-efficacy: Ex smokers were characterized by an increased perception of self efficacy, Active smokers also made declarations indicative of an elevated sense of self efficacy, pointing out that they possess the ability to stop smoking whenever they want. All of the participants mentioned that personal choice is of the utmost importance when it comes to smoking cessation. Intention to quit: Smoking cessation was highlighted as important by most of the active smokers and the majority of them considered themselves determined to stop smoking. Furthermore, all of them mentioned that they wanted to achieve smoking cessation within the next year. Discussion: It is suggested that personal beliefs associated with the dangerous nature of smoking should be considered during the development of smoking cessation programs and the cultivation of self-efficacy throughout the process is regarded to be equally as important in order to achieve the best cessation results possible.

Language

Greek

Subject

Interview

Perceived risk

Smoking cessation

Κάπνισμα

Συνέντευξη

Issue date

2024-07-26

Collection

School/Department--School of Medicine--Department of Medicine--Post-graduate theses