Self-efficacy and outcome expectations as predictors of controlled smoking status

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to develop and evaluate the usefulness of self-efficacy and outcome expectation measures in predicting smoking status. Subjects were chronic smokers participating in controlled smoking treatment programs. In Study 1, Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy Scales were developed and used to concurrently predict nicotine content, amount of each cigarette smoked, number of cigarettes smoked, and carbon monoxide levels. Both congruence microanalyses and correlational analyses revealed a strong relationship between self-efficacy and the dependent variables. Study 2, a larger prospective study, found strong correlations between our revised Self-Efficacy Scale and smoking behavior at a 6-month follow-up. In neither study did outcome expectancy significantly correlate with the dependent variables, nor did it significantly increment the proportion of variance explained when combined with self-efficacy.