Playfulness, arousal-seeking and rebelliousness during smoking cessation

Whereas prior research has indicated that negative affect states contribute to lapses during cessation attempts, studies using retrospective interviews have shown that the reversal theory states of playfulness and rebelliousness also increase the likelihood of lapsing. Using ecological momentary assessment techniques, the relationship of playfulness, arousal-seeking and rebelliousness to other subjective states, situational variables, the use of coping strategies and to lapsing were investigated in 36 subjects who were attempting to quit smoking. Playfulness was significantly (p<0.01) related to the use of fewer coping responses during urge episodes. Within-subjects analyses of 11 subjects who lapsed during the study showed that playfulness scores were significantly higher (p<0.02) during lapse as compared to highly tempting situations. Rebelliousness was related to higher urge levels during coping episodes (p<0.01). Results support the construct validity of the scales and the utility of reversal theory variables in explaining outcomes of smoking cessation attempts.