Smoking-Related Health Beliefs in a Sample of Psychiatric Patients: Factors Associated with the Health Beliefs and Validation of the Health Belief Questionnaire

P. V. Asharani, Jue Hua Lau, Vanessa Ai Ling Seet, Fiona Devi, Peizhi Wang, Kumarasan Roystonn, Ying Ying Lee, Laxman Cetty, Wen Lin Teh, Swapna Verma, Yee Ming Mok, Siow Ann Chong and Mythily Subramaniam
Additional contact information
P. V. Asharani: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Jue Hua Lau: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Vanessa Ai Ling Seet: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Fiona Devi: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Peizhi Wang: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Kumarasan Roystonn: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Ying Ying Lee: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Laxman Cetty: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Wen Lin Teh: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Swapna Verma: Early Psychosis Intervention Programme, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Yee Ming Mok: Department of Mood and Anxiety, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Siow Ann Chong: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Mythily Subramaniam: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This study examined the (a) health beliefs and emotions (perception of risk, benefits, severity, and worry) about smoking among current and former smokers, (b) their awareness of health warnings, (c) factors associated with smoking-related health beliefs, and (d) the factor structure of the health belief questionnaire. Participants (n = 184) were recruited from a tertiary psychiatric care hospital. Current smokers showed a significantly higher risk perception and lower perceived benefits compared to former smokers. Younger age (<40 years), nicotine dependence (ND), a history of smoking-related diseases (SRD), and intention to quit were significantly associated with a higher risk perception in current smokers. Younger age, a history of SRDs, and motivation to quit were positively associated with health beliefs, while the latter two were associated with worry. Motivation and younger age were associated with a better perception of benefits and severity. Information on the cigarette packets was the major source of awareness for the sample, and 69% reported that existing campaigns were not effective in discouraging their smoking. Personalized risk communication and educational initiatives must focus on improving the knowledge of risk, benefits, and increase motivation to promote health cognition and thus smoking cessation.

Keywords: risk perception; health beliefs; health cognition; smoking; mental illness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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