Survey of Relationships between Temptation Situations and Stages of Change among Smokers

Temptation is one of the constructs of a trans theoretical model that may cause failure in smoking cessation. The aim of the current study was to investigate temptation situations and its relationships with stages of change among smokers. Secondary analsis was conducted on three separate studies and 1108 subjects who were selected based on convenient sampling method. Data were compiled using velicer et al. smoking temptation situations as well as Prochaska et al. stages of change questionnaires. Gatherd data were analyzed by descriptive statistics، Kruskall Wallis and Mann-whietny tests using SPSS software version 15. Mean score of temptation in smokers was 3. 34±0. 77 out of 5. Mean and SD were 3. 56±0. 92، 3. 70±0. 99 and 2. 67±0. 96 for positive social situations، negative affective، and craving، respectively. There was significant relationship between temptation and stages of change so that mean score of temptation in the subjects at contemplation and prepation stages was significantly higher than those of being in action and maintenace stages. There were significant relationships between initiation age of smoking and temptation scores. Smokers who initiated smoking under 20 years old had higher temptation score compared to the subjects started at ≥20 years of age. The results of the current study indicated that the smokers tempted more in negative affective situations. The rate of temptation was higher in contemplation and preparation stages comparing to other stages. Temptation was influenced by the earlier age smoking initiation.