Dataset Information

Measured, opportunistic, unexpected and naive quitting: a qualitative grounded theory study of the process of quitting from the ex-smokers' perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To better understand the process of quitting from the ex-smokers' perspective, and to explore the role spontaneity and planning play in quitting.

Methods

Qualitative grounded theory study using in-depth interviews with 37 Australian adult ex-smokers (24-68 years; 15 males, 22 females) who quit smoking in the past 6-24 months (26 quit unassisted; 11 used assistance).

Results

Based on participants' accounts of quitting, we propose a typology of quitting experiences: measured, opportunistic, unexpected and naïve. Two key features integral to participants' accounts of their quitting experiences were used as the basis of the typology: (1) the apparent onset of quitting (gradual through to sudden); and (2) the degree to which the smoker appeared to have prepared for quitting (no evidence through to clear evidence of preparation). The resulting 2 × 2 matrix of quitting experiences took into consideration three additional characteristics: (1) the presence or absence of a clearly identifiable trigger; (2) the amount of effort (cognitive and practical) involved in quitting; and (3) the type of cognitive process that characterised the quitting experience (reflective; impulsive; reflective and impulsive).

Conclusions

Quitting typically included elements of spontaneity (impulsive behaviour) and preparation (reflective behaviour), and, importantly, the investment of time and cognitive effort by participants prior to quitting. Remarkably few participants quit completely out-of-the-blue with little or no preparation. Findings are discussed in relation to stages-of-change theory, catastrophe theory, and dual process theories, focusing on how dual process theories may provide a way of conceptualising how quitting can include elements of both spontaneity and preparation.

SUBMITTER: Smith AL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5426051 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Measured, opportunistic, unexpected and naïve quitting: a qualitative grounded theory study of the process of quitting from the ex-smokers' perspective.

Smith Andrea L AL Carter Stacy M SM Dunlop Sally M SM Freeman Becky B Chapman Simon S

BMC public health 20170511 1

<h4>Background</h4>To better understand the process of quitting from the ex-smokers' perspective, and to explore the role spontaneity and planning play in quitting.<h4>Methods</h4>Qualitative grounded theory study using in-depth interviews with 37 Australian adult ex-smokers (24-68 years; 15 males, 22 females) who quit smoking in the past 6-24 months (26 quit unassisted; 11 used assistance).<h4>Results</h4>Based on participants' accounts of quitting, we propose a typology of quitting experiences ...[more]

PMID: 28490317

Similar Datasets

Project description:IntroductionLittle is known about the continued use of nicotine following smoking cessation on perceived well-being in comparison to complete cessation of nicotine use.Aims and methodsTo explore aspects of perceived well-being and coping among recent ex-smokers as a function of vaping status. Ever-daily smokers in the International Tobacco Control 4 country smoking and vaping surveys in 2016 (w1 N = 883) and 2018 (w2 N = 1088). Cross-sectional associations and longitudinal samples for those who quit between waves and those who quit at w1 and maintained abstinence to w2. Main outcome measures were: Past 30 days of depression symptoms, perceived stress, stress management since quitting, and change in perceived day-to-day health.ResultsIn the cross-sectional analyses vapers were more likely to report both improved stress management (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.23-2.36) and perceived day-to-day health (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.26-2.16) than nicotine abstainers. In the longitudinal analyses, smokers who switched to vaping between waves (n = 372) were more likely to report depression symptoms at w2 (aOR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.09-3.65) but reported improved perceived health (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.16-3.20). For the past daily smokers who remained quit between waves (n = 382), vapers were more likely to report improved stress management relative to abstainers (RRR = 5.05. 95% CI 1.19-21.40). There were no other significant differences between vapers and nicotine abstainers.ConclusionsThere is little evidence to support the view that perceptions of well-being deteriorate in vapers compared to complete nicotine abstainers in the immediate years after smoking cessation.ImplicationsThis study could find no conclusive evidence that the continued use of nicotine via e-cigarettes was detrimental to health compared to completely stopping nicotine intake altogether. Our results would suggest that continuing to use nicotine may even result in some benefits in the short term such as improved stress management, however further longitudinal studies are required to examine if these effects are restricted to the early post-quitting phase and whether other positive or negative effects on psychosocial health emerge in the future.