Goal setting and behavior change in a smoking cessation program

The present study examined (1) the role of self-efficacy, motivation, and stress in subgoal setting and achievement in a smoking cessation program; (2) these variables along with subgoal setting and achievement in predicting abstinence; and (3) the type of subgoal achieved (direct or indirect) and its relationship to abstinence. A consistent negative relationship between self-efficacy and current subgoal setting was found for abstainers. However, in prospective analyses, prior subgoal setting was the primary predictor of subsequent subgoal setting. Self-efficacy and prior subgoal achievement were the most significant, positive predictors of subgoal achievement over time. Level of self-efficacy during treatment was the only significant variable to emerge in the prediction of followup abstinence after accounting for prior smoking status, and appears to mediate the effect of subgoal achievement on outcome. Abstainers and smokers at followup differed in their proportions of indirect subgoals achieved. © 1994 Plenum Publishing Corporation.