Naturalistic changes in the readiness to quit tobacco smoking in a German general population sample

Anja Schumann*, Christian Meyer, Hans Jürgen Rumpf, Ulfert Hapke, Ulrich John

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit
24 Zitate (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. This study examines naturalistic changes, i.e., changes that occur without formal interventions, in the motivational readiness to quit tobacco smoking. The transtheoretical model (TTM) with the proposed five stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) is used as the theoretical framework. Methods. Data were collected as part of a representative general population study in Germany. A total of 786 individuals was assessed two times, 6 months apart, with respect to stage of change. Latent Transition Analysis (LTA) was employed as a special statistical method to analyze stage movements over time. Results. The best-fitting model to describe naturalistic stage movements included both forward and backward movements. A high proportion of the sample was in the precontemplation stage across both measurement occasions. There were high rates of stage regressions over the 6-month period. Conclusions. In a German representative population of smokers, smoking behavior change toward abstinence does not occur naturally in a substantial amount over the 6-month period without intervention. Differing findings in studies for populations in the United States could be due to methodological differences or differences in tobacco-control conditions.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftPreventive Medicine
Jahrgang35
Ausgabenummer4
Seiten (von - bis)326-333
Seitenumfang8
ISSN0091-7435
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2002

Strategische Forschungsbereiche und Zentren

  • Forschungsschwerpunkt: Gehirn, Hormone, Verhalten - Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

Fingerprint

Untersuchen Sie die Forschungsthemen von „Naturalistic changes in the readiness to quit tobacco smoking in a German general population sample“. Zusammen bilden sie einen einzigartigen Fingerprint.

Zitieren