Understanding perspectives on smoking cessation based on Self-Determination Theory: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION Implementing and maintaining smoking cessation requires high
motivation. This study examines the role of Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
in enhancing smoking cessation strategies by highlighting the significance of
psychological needs for lasting behavioral change. We aimed to explore how
participants perceive the importance of SDT's basic psychological needs –
autonomy, competence, and relatedness – in the context of smoking cessation
treatment and support (SCTS).
METHODS This qualitative study, employing SDT-driven content analysis, utilized a
co-design workshop held in Finland in 2019, where 12 participants engaged in
group dialogues. The workshop dialogues were examined to determine whether
SDT influenced participants’ responses regarding SCTS.
RESULTS The qualitative analysis emphasized the respondents' need for autonomous
motivation. The study highlighted the importance of acknowledging individual
differences and psychological needs for effective support in SCTS. We identified
ten categories: Addiction, Aids and appliances, Characteristics, Collective quitting,
Expert advice, Follow-up data, Personal experience, Rewards, Health political
decision-making, Ways of quitting smoking. All were linked to basic psychological
need. The desire for autonomy was the most common theme (41.2%) followed by
competence (34.6%) and relatedness (24.2 %).
CONCLUSIONS Health practitioners should recognize and address the basic psychological
needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness when assisting smokers in their
cessation efforts. By offering meaningful choices to support autonomy and enhance
competence, and by providing positive, informative feedback while empathizing
with the smoker’s situation, professionals can improve the effectiveness of
SCTS interventions. To be truly effective, support must be tailored to individual
differences and needs.