“Fuelling” Cognitive Judgments: Worry as a Mediator Between Risk Perceptions and Intentions to Quit Smoking

The aim of the present study was to assess the importance of cognitive and affective risk perceptions along with measures of self-prediction of future smoking status and confidence in one’s ability to quit on intentions to quit smoking. Additionally, the purpose was to explore the mediating effect of worry on the relation between risk perception and quitting smoking intentions. The data consist of 415 participants defined as daily and “sometimes” smokers who were interviewed by telephone. The results showed significant direct effects of risk perception, worry, confidence, and self-prediction of future smoking status on intentions to quit smoking. Furthermore, the results showed a significant mediating effect of worry on the relation between risk perception and quitting intentions. The results are discussed in relation to the general role of cognitive and affective processes in influencing behavioural decisions. The implications and limitations of the present analysis are also discussed.