MOTIVATIONS OF NON-SMOKERS FOR CONTINUING NOT TO SMOKE

Abstract

In the interest of identifying the motivations that support the desire of some people to remain non-smokers, a crosssectional
descriptive study of adult non-smokers was designed. This research allowed identification of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to maintain this healthy behavior. The sample consisted of 692 non-smoker students, faculty and employees of the University of Concepcion. The instrument used for data collection was “Reasons for Quitting Scale” (Susan Curry), consisting of twenty (20) items. The researchers modified the items for non-smokers. The reliability was verified through Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient. The result of factor analysis with orthogonal rotation of the 20 items of the scale suggested an optimal solution with 4 factors, considering items that had a load higher than 0.47. These 4 factors explained motivations to keep a non-smoking behavior of 63.11% of faculty and employees, and 62.57% of the students. The factors of greater load in the answers of faculty and employees were items related to the categories of immediate reinforcement and concern for health, corresponding to extrinsic and intrinsic motivations respectively. In contrast, factors of greater load in the student group were items that included the categories desire for self-control and social pressure corresponding to intrinsic and extrinsic motivations respectively.