Cognitive Appraisals and Smoking Intentions: The Role of Decision Making Competence

Abstract

An important element of smoking cessation programs is the modification of health beliefs about risks and benefits. However, Janis and Mann's (1977) conflict-theory suggests only vigilant decision-makers are motivated by such outcome appraisals. Thus, this study examined the extent to which relations between health beliefs and cigarette smoking are moderated by decision-making competence. Over 150 university undergraduates completed a questionnaire survey assessing health beliefs about smoking (perceptions of susceptibility to and severity of lung cancer, and benefits of not smoking), smoking intentions, and decision-making competence. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed interactions between risk perceptions and competence, whereby perceived susceptibility and severity appraisals better predicted smoking intentions in less proficient decision-makers. However, these interactions disappeared after controlling for smoking status. These findings suggest that risk perceptions are more important in college students averse to information search and appraisal, albeit this is confounded by smoking status.