Measuring Risk Perceptions in Smokers Unmotivated to Quit

The purpose of the current research study was to examine the relationship between individuals' motivation to quit smoking and their perception of health risk. We hypothesized that smokers unmotivated to quit have lower risk perceptions, expecting a non-linear relationship. We assessed the overall risks of developing a disease (absolute risk) and the risk of developing a disease compared to others (relative risk) at different levels of motivation to quit smoking using the Stages of Change algorithm (SOC) and the Contemplation Ladder (CL). A sample of 242 smokers (mean age=47(SD=13.9), 68% female) completed a survey on cigarette smoking and smoking cessation. Little difference was found between smokers who were moderately motivated to quit smoking and smokers who were highly motivated. Using a contrast analysis we were able to demonstrate that the SOC classified smokers as significantly less motivated to quit compared to the CL (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test indicated Z = 7.04, and p < .05). An ANOVA test revealed a significant difference between stages for the absolute risk composite (F(2, 234)=4.32, p<0.05,), but not relative risk when using the SOC. Significant differences were found between the CL groups for both the absolute (F(2, 225)=3.1, p<0.05,) and relative risk (F(2, 224)=5.34, p<0.05,) composites. Results suggest a difference in measurement between individuals' motivation to quit and their perception of health risk when using the SOC or CL, as well as support the hypothesis that smokers who are unmotivated to quit have lower risk perceptions than do more motivated smokers.