Health beliefs, stages of change and smoking behaviour in portuguese college students

Pimenta, Filipa; Leal, I.; Marôco, J. P.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1573

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Authors

Pimenta, Filipa

Leal, I.

Marôco, J. P.

Abstract(s)

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore, in a sample of 380 college students, if there are any differences between regular, occasional and ex-smokers regarding health value, perceived health competence and self-efficacy to refrain from smoking. Stages of change are also assessed according to the transtheoretical model. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the health value. However, perceived health competence and self-efficacy (to refrain from smoking) were significantly different for the different smoking status and several stages of change. These findings provide new insights into how college student’s health-related perceptions relate to smoking behaviour, which may help in the elaboration of smoking cessation interventions for this population.