Smoking self-concept moderates the effects of self-affirmation on smoking-related beliefs and behavioral intentions

Abstract

Objective Smoking stigmatization has been shown to hinder cigarette smoking cessation, especially among individuals with a strong smoker identity. Self-affirmation, a psychological threat-management coping strategy, can promote smoking cessation, and may mitigate the adverse consequences of stigmatization. Design Data from an online sample of 1,020 U.S. adult smokers were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Main Outcome Measures Participants completed a self-affirmation (or no-affirmation control) writing task before viewing a smoking stigma (or non-stigma control) anti-smoking public service announcement video. Participants then reported smoking-related cognitions and behavioral intentions. Results Among participants with strong—but not weak—ties to a smoker identity (smoking self-concept), self-affirming led to higher quit intentions compared to the control condition. Among participants with weak—but not strong—smoking self-concepts, those who self-affirmed had lower intentions to switch completely to e-cigarettes relative to the control condition. Exposure to stigmatization reduced intentions to seek cessation counseling, particularly among those with weak smoking self-concepts. Conclusion Findings demonstrate the critical role that smoking identity centrality plays in moderating reactions to both affirming and stigmatizing stimuli. Additional research is needed to better understand how self-affirmation and stigma-reduction interventions can be tailored and implemented in natural contexts.