Public and private self-consciousness and smoking behavior in head and neck cancer patients

Patients who continue to use tobacco following treatment for head and neck cancers are at a greater risk for cancer recurrence and earlier mortality. This study examined the unique effects of public and private self-consciousness and negative affect on smoking behavior in a sample of 40 patients with cancers of the head and neck. Measures of public and private self-consciousness and negative affect were administered and assessments of past and current smoking behavior were obtained. Only public self-consciousness was a significant predictor of continued smoking following oncologic treatment. Specifically, individuals with low levels of public self-consciousness were nearly 13 times more likely to continue smoking compared to those with relatively higher levels of public self-consciousness. This pattern is interpreted in the context of previous theorizing that suggests individuals high in public self-consciousness are more likely to discontinue habitual behavior that is perceived as socially undesirable or incorrect.

Smoking and drinking behavior in patients with head and neck cancer: effects of behavioral self-blame and perceived control

Patients who continue to use tobacco or alcohol following treatment for head and neck cancers are at greater risk for cancer recurrence and mortality. The present study examined the effects of behavioral self-blame and perceived control over health on smoking and alcohol use in a sample of 55 patients with cancers of the head and neck. Measures of self-blame, perceived control, and depression were administered and an assessment of past and current smoking and drinking behavior was obtained. As anticipated, continued smoking after completion of oncologic treatment was predicted by the interaction of behavior specific self-blame and perceived control. Patients who attributed the cause of their cancer to their past substance use exhibited a lower likelihood of smoking only if they also held the expectancy that their future cancer-related health was contingent on their own behavior. Among patients not holding the belief that cancer recurrence was contingent on their own actions, self-blame was associated with a higher probability of continued smoking. Self-blame and perceived control had no effect on continued alcohol use.