The aim of this study was to examine the role of self-compassion in nicotine dependence within the framework of the Self-Regulation Resource Model (SRRM). The study included 331 adults aged 18 years and older. Participants were classified into three groups based on smoking status (current smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers). Differences in gender, education level, self-compassion, positive affect, negative affect, and health self-efficacy were examined across smoking status groups. The proposed SRRM-based mediation model was tested among current smokers (N = 164). The findings indicated that self-compassion was indirectly associated with nicotine dependence through negative affect and health self-efficacy, whereas positive affect did not show a significant mediating effect. Overall, the results highlight the role of emotional regulation and health self-efficacy as key self-regulation resources linked to nicotine dependence. These findings suggest that strengthening self-regulation resources may be relevant for smoking cessation efforts.
AbrahamCNormanPConnerM (eds) (2000) Understanding and Changing Health Behaviour: From Health Beliefs to Self-Regulation, 1st edn.Psychology Press.
2.
AkınAAkınÜAbacıR (2007) Self-compassion scale: The study of validity and reliability. Hacettepe University Journal of Education33: 1–10.
3.
BakerTBPiperMEMcCarthyDE, et al. (2004) Addiction motivation reformulated: An affective processing model of negative reinforcement. Psychological Review111(1): 33–51.
4.
BenowitzNL (2010) Nicotine addiction. New England Journal of Medicine362(24): 2295–2303.
5.
BethlehemJ (2010) Selection bias in web surveys. International Statistical Review78(2): 161–188.
6.
BiberDDEllisR (2019) The effect of self-compassion on the self-regulation of health behaviors: A systematic review. Journal of Health Psychology24(14): 2060–2071.
7.
ClydeMPipeAReidR, et al. (2019) A bidirectional path analysis model of smoking cessation self-efficacy and concurrent smoking status: Impact on abstinence outcomes. Addiction Biology24(5): 1034–1043.
8.
CutlerDMLleras-MuneyA (2010) Understanding differences in health behaviors by education. Journal of Health Economics29(1): 1–28.
9.
GallusSCresciCRigamontiV, et al. (2023) Self-efficacy in predicting smoking cessation: A prospective study from Italy. Tobacco Prevention and Cessation9(April): 15.
10.
GençözT (2000) Pozitif ve Negatif Duygu Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi15(46): 19–26.
11.
Hartmann-BoyceJLivingstone-BanksJOrdóñez-MenaJM, et al. (2021) Behavioural interventions for smoking cessation: An overview and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews1(1): CD013229.
12.
HayesAF (2017) Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-Based Approach. Guilford Publications.
13.
HeathertonTFKozlowskiLTFreckerRC, et al. (1991) The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence: A revision of the Fagerström tolerance questionnaire. British Journal of Addiction86(9): 1119–1127.
14.
HofmannWRauchWGawronskiB (2007) And deplete us not into temptation: Automatic attitudes, dietary restraint, and self-regulatory resources as determinants of eating behavior. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology43(3): 497–504.
15.
KahlerCWSpillaneNSDayAM, et al. (2015) Positive psychotherapy for Smoking Cessation: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Nicotine & Tobacco Research17(11): 1385–1392.
16.
KaranciNA (1992) Self-efficacy-based smoking situation factors: The effects of contemplating quitting versus relapsing in a Turkish sample. International Journal of the Addictions27(7): 879–886.
17.
KellyACZuroffDCFoaCL, et al. (2010) Who benefits from training in self-compassionate self-regulation? A study of smoking reduction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology29(7): 727–755.
18.
KriegerTHermannHZimmermannJ, et al. (2015) Associations of self-compassion and global self-esteem with positive and negative affect and stress reactivity in daily life: Findings from a smart phone study. Personality and Individual Differences87: 288–292.
19.
LangdonKJFarrisSGØverupCS, et al. (2016) Associations between anxiety sensitivity, negative affect, and smoking during a self-guided smoking cessation attempt. Nicotine & Tobacco Research18(5): 1188–1195.
20.
LiuCChengWZengY, et al. (2020) Different characteristics of Ex-Smokers and current smokers with COPD: A cross-sectional study in China. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease15: 1613–1619.
21.
Martin GinisKABraySR (2010) Application of the limited strength model of self-regulation to understanding exercise effort, planning and adherence. Psychology and Health25(10): 1147–1160.
22.
MuravenMCollinsRLNienhausK (2002) Self-control and alcohol restraint: An initial application of the self-control strength model. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors16(2): 113–120.
23.
NeffKKnoxMC (2016) Self-compassion. In: IvtzanILomasT (eds) Mindfulness in Positive Psychology: The Science of Meditation and Wellbeing. Routledge, pp.241–253.
24.
NeffKD (2003) The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity2(3): 223–250.
25.
NeffKD (2023) Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, research, and Intervention. Annual Review of Psychology74(1): 193–218.
26.
NianTGuoKLiuW, et al. (2023) Non-pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation: Analysis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. BMC Medicine21(1): 378.
27.
O’LoughlinEKMarashiMBeerS, et al. (2025) Factors associated with low self-compassion in young adults. Canadian Journal of Public Health116(3): 446–455.
28.
PhillipsWJHineDW (2021) Self-compassion, physical health, and health behaviour: A meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review15(1): 113–139.
29.
PreacherKJHayesAF (2008) Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods40(3): 879–891.
30.
SiroisFM (2004) Procrastination and intentions to perform health behaviors: The role of self-efficacy and the consideration of future consequences. Personality and Individual Differences37(1): 115–128.
31.
SiroisFM (2015) A self-regulation resource model of self-compassion and health behavior intentions in emerging adults. Preventive Medicine Reports2: 218–222.
32.
SmithPHBessetteAJWeinbergerAH, et al. (2016) Sex/gender differences in smoking cessation: A review. Preventive Medicine92: 135–140.
33.
SproesserGStrohbachSSchuppH, et al. (2011) Candy or apple? How self-control resources and motives impact dietary healthiness in women. Appetite56(3): 784–787.
34.
SteinbergMLWilliamsJMLiY (2015) Poor mental health and reduced decline in smoking prevalence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine49(3): 362–369.
35.
TabachnickBGFidellLS (eds) (2013) Using Multivariate Statistics, 6th edn.Pearson.
36.
TerryMLLearyMR (2011) Self-compassion, self-regulation, and health. Self and Identity10(3): 352–362.
37.
ÜnübolHHızlı SayarG (2019) Psychological factors associated with smoking and quitting: Addiction map of Turkey study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment15: 1971–1982.
38.
UysalMAKadakalFKarşıdağC, et al. (2004) Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence: Reliability in a Turkish sample and factor analysis. Tuberkuloz ve Toraks52(2): 115–121.
39.
VohsKDHeathertonTF (2000) Self-regulatory failure: A resource-depletion approach. Psychological Science11(3): 249–254.
40.
WardAMannT (2000) Don’t mind if I do: Disinhibited eating under cognitive load. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology78(4): 753–763.
41.
WatsonDClarkLATellegenA (1988) Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology54(6): 1063–1070.
42.
WongMYCChungP-KLeungK-M (2021) The relationship between physical activity and Self-Compassion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness12(3): 547–563.
World Health Organization (2024a) WHO Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use 2024. World Health Organization.
45.
World Health Organization (2024b) WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2024: Addressing the Burden of Tobacco-Related Diseases. World Health Organization.
