DEVELOPING AND TESTING A THEORETICAL CAUSAL MODEL OF SMOKING BEHAVIOR CHANGE AT THE WORKSITE (HEALTH BELIEF MODEL).
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 247
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Without theory-driven research, little can be learned about the causal influences of a worksite health promotion program on smoking behavior change. The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical causal model of reduction in smoking behavior that posited causal connections among exposure to a comprehensive worksite health promotion program environment, health beliefs, and smoking behavior. This study of 310 smokers was a secondary data analysis using one year of data from a longitudinal, comprehensive worksite health promotion intervention study conducted at a major health insurance company located in the Midwest. The objective of the study was to test a causal model that answered the general research question, "Controlling for smoking status at time 1, does exposure to a comprehensive worksite health promotion program environment affect health beliefs and smoking behavior change?" The causal model was tested using both ordinary least squares regression and LISREL.

An expanded version of the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to derive a reasonably valid and parsimonious model of smoking behavior change that showed two core HBM variables, perceived seriousness and perceived barriers, significantly predicted smoking reduction in directions hypothesized by the HBM. Further, the treatment, exposure to a health-promoting environment that included risk reduction programs, counseling, newsletters, and a health risk appraisal, produced a significant marginal impact on smoking reduction beyond that produced by exposure to only a health risk appraisal. Creating a workplace culture that facilitates smoking reduction appears to be a worthwhile program goal.

In future research, the treatment measure needs to be more carefully delineated and smoking behavior monitored more frequently over the course of the study period. Conceptualizing smoking behavior as a continuous measure of smoking intensity merits further study. Because the quitting process often consists of many quitting attempts and subsequent relapses, it may be useful to acknowledge that even a reduction in smoking is a positive step and one that often precedes the ultimate stage of complete cessation. Further implications for research and for occupational health nurses were also discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-10, Section: B, page: 4452.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1989.

School code: 0806.