The process of smoking cessation: An analysis of precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change.

Carlo C. DiClemente, James O. Prochaska, Scott Fairhurst, Wayne F. Velicer, Mary Marden Velasquez, Joseph S. Rossi·1991·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Traditionally smoking cessation studies use smoker and nonsmoker categories almost exclusively to represent individuals quitting smoking. This study tested the transtheoretical model of change that posits a series of stages through which smokers move as they successfully change the smoking habit. Subjects in precontemplation (n = 166), contemplation (n = 794), and preparation (n = 506) stages of change were compared on smoking history, 10 processes of change, pretest self-efficacy, and decisional balance, as well as 1-month and 6-month cessation activity. Results strongly support the stages of change model. All groups were similar on smoking history but differed dramatically on current cessation activity. Stage differences predicted attempts to quit smoking and cessation success at 1- and 6-month follow-up. Implications for recruitment, intervention, and research are discussed.

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    Prochaska, James O., DiClemente, Carlo C., Norcross, John C. · 1992 · American Psychologist
  2. Impact of psychological factors on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and implications for therapy.
    Rozanski, Alan, Blumenthal, James A., Kaplan, Jay · 1999 · Circulation
  3. Development of the Patient Activation Measure (PAM): Conceptualizing and Measuring Activation in Patients and Consumers
    Hibbard, Judith H., Stockard, Jean, Mahoney, Eldon R., Tusler, Martin · 2004 · Health Services Research
  4. Appealing to fear: A meta-analysis of fear appeal effectiveness and theories
    Tannenbaum, Melanie B., Hepler, Justin, Zimmerman, Rick S., Saul, Lindsey, Jacobs, Samantha, Wilson, Kristina, Albarracín, Dolores · 2015 · Psychological Bulletin
  5. Stages of change
    Norcross, John C., Krebs, Paul M., Prochaska, James O. · 2011 · Journal of Clinical Psychology

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Cite CoChat for the checks on this page, and the paper for its own findings.

This page
CoChat. (2026). Citation check: The process of smoking cessation: An analysis of precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1037//0022-006x.59.2.295
The paper
DiClemente, C. C., Prochaska, J. O., Fairhurst, S., Velicer, W. F., Velasquez, M. M., & Rossi, J. S. (1991). The process of smoking cessation: An analysis of precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.59.2.295

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