The effect of self-control depletion on approach tendencies toward smoking cues in relapsers

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate whether self-control depletion increases autonomic action-tendencies to approach smoking cues in relapsers compared to abstainers. Forty-two relapsers and twenty-nine abstainers were assigned randomly to either depletion or control condition. Participants were asked to complete a Stimulus–Response Compatibility (SRC) task which measured the approach tendencies toward smoking-related cues. Following this pre-SRC task, participants performed the self-control depletion task to exert their self-control resource, and then completed the post-SRC task. Results indicated that relapsers in the depletion condition showed greater increase in approach tendency toward smoking cues while relapsers in the control condition and abstainers in both conditions did not. These results demonstrated the implicit mechanism of self-control depletion contributing to smoking relapse and suggest smoking relapse prevention focusing upon improving coping skills when self-control resources are depleted.