Social Norms and Quit-Smoking Action Plans among Chinese Smokers: The Mediating Role of Quit-Smoking Intention and the Moderating Role of Relationship-Oriented Trait

doi:10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.20240426

Abstract

Abstract: The quit-smoking action plans, which refer to smokers' specific plans for successfully quitting smoking, include setting up quitting goals and preparing to quit smoking. It may be one of the potent predictors for successful smoking cessation. Previous studies have shown that the quit-smoking action plans would be predicted by social norms. Ulteriorly, researchers have distinguished subjective norms into smoking norms and quit-smoking norms which impact quit-smoking differently. However, little is known about the influence of the different roles of different social norms on quit-smoking action plans as well as their potential psychosocial mechanisms.
This study is devoted to investigating the influence of social norms on quit-smoking action plans, and exploring their influence mechanisms. According to the Rubicon Model and the Integrated Change Model, social norms may influence the quit-smoking action plans by influencing the quit-smoking intention. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that individual social behavior is often affected by relationship-oriented trait and the Social Identity Model of Recovery proposed that the connection between smokers and smokers or non-smokers, as well as the smokers' social connection trait, will affect the smokers' quit-smoking behavior.
Given these, the present study aims to examine (a) the relationship between social norms and quit-smoking action plans, (b) the role of different social norms on quit-smoking intention and quit-smoking action plans, (c) the mediating effects of quit-smoking intention on the relationship between social norms and quit-smoking action plans, and (d) the moderating effects of the relationship-oriented trait among the social norms, the quit-smoking intention, and the quit-smoking action plans.
A sample of 694 Chinese regular cigarette smokers was recruited to complete several self-report questionnaires, including the Quit-Smoking Action Plans Scale, the Perceived Smoking Social Norms Scale, the Perceived Quit-Smoking Social Norms Scale, the Quit-Smoking Intention Scale, and the Relationship-Oriented Trait Scale. This study employed SPSS 23 and AMOS 23 for data analysis. Partial correlation analyses (to control nicotine dependence) were conducted to examine the relationships among the quit-smoking action plans, the smoking norms, the quit-smoking norms, the quit-smoking intention, and the relationship-oriented trait. Then, the mediation model and moderated mediation model, which controlled for the fore-mentioned variables, were examined by using AMOS 23. The results showed that: (1) The quit-smoking action plans were significantly negatively related to the smoking norms, the quit-smoking norms, the quit-smoking intention, and the relationship-oriented trait. (2) The smoking norms and the quit-smoking norms had different effects on the quit-smoking intention and the quit-smoking action plans. (3) The relationship between the social norms and the quit-smoking action plans was fully mediated by the quit-smoking intention. (4) The moderated effect of the relationship-oriented trait on the relationship between the smoking norms and the quit-smoking intention was significant.
This study contributed not only to the theory of smoking cessation, but also to the practice of tobacco control in China. Theoretically, the results are in line with the hypothesis of the Social Identity Model of Recovery, supporting the viewpoint that the social connection with smokers or non-smokers may have different effects on smokers' quit-smoking intention and action. Furthermore, the results complement the explanation of the Rubicon Model and the I-Change Model to the quit-smoking action plans. Practically, according to the results of this study, it is necessary to guide smokers to strengthen their social connections with quit-smoking groups or non-smokers. Future studies should use multiple methods and construct diverse models to explore the underlying causes.

Key words: Chinese smokers, quit-smoking action plans, smoking norms, quit-smoking norms, quit-smoking intention, relationship-oriented trait

摘要： 考察吸烟主观规范和戒烟主观规范对戒烟行动计划的预测作用及戒烟意向的中介作用和关系导向特征的调节作用。对694名经常吸烟者进行问卷调查,结果表明：（1）吸烟者两种规范显著预测戒烟行动计划;（2）戒烟意向在两种规范与行动计划间起中介作用;（3）关系导向特征正向调节吸烟主观规范和戒烟意向的关系。结果说明,吸烟者两种规范对戒烟意向及戒烟行动计划的预测作用具有共存性及拮抗性,且关系导向特征增强吸烟主观规范的预测作用。

关键词: 吸烟者, 戒烟行动计划, 吸烟主观规范, 戒烟主观规范, 戒烟意向, 关系导向特征

Chen Haide, Zhang Yuhan, Zhao Boqiang, Yao Jingjing, Li Weijian. Social Norms and Quit-Smoking Action Plans among Chinese Smokers: The Mediating Role of Quit-Smoking Intention and the Moderating Role of Relationship-Oriented Trait[J]. Journal of Psychological Science, 2024, 47(4): 973-980.

陈海德, 张宇晗, 赵博强, 姚静静, 李伟健. 主观规范与吸烟者戒烟行动计划：戒烟意向和关系导向特征的作用 ^*[J]. 心理科学, 2024, 47(4): 973-980.

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