Occupational Transition of Smoking Cessation in Women: “You're Restructuring Your Whole Life”

Abstract

This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the transition from smoking to non-smoking as an occupational transition. Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven women, aged 35–55, living in New Brunswick, Canada, who had quit smoking 12–24 months prior to recruitment. Five major themes emerged from data analysis, three of which are explored here. Smoking was shown to be a valued and meaningful occupation with both positive and negative aspects. While elements of addiction meant the occupation of smoking was not freely chosen, it nonetheless resulted in positive benefits. The occupational transition of smoking cessation was described as a cyclical journey that required building skills and occupational competence to support occupational adaptation and engagement in meaningful occupations, and overcome barriers and occupational losses throughout the transition process. Occupational adaptation supported the development of a non-smoker identity by enabling the women to become and express the selves they wanted to be. At the same time, change in identity supported occupational adaptation, as women adopted new, congruent occupations. The results challenge tacit understandings that occupations uniformly contribute positively to health and wellness.