Factors associated with the satisfaction of smoking cessation programs in clinics among Korean military personnel: An application of Transtheoretical model

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate factors and processes involved in smoking cessation among military personnel, based on the Transtheoretical model. Furthermore, this study was aimed to identify the differences in satisfaction levels with Korean military smoking cessation clinics. Methods: The study participants were 19,774 military personnel who participated in their smoking cessation clinics, from January 2016 to December 2018. A hypothetical model was constructed to explain the relationship between the Transtheoretical model and smoking cessation for military personnel. Structural model equation and multiple group analysis were conducted. Results: Smoking cessation was found to be related higher self-efficacy, and the processes of change as provided by the Transtheoretical model. Moreover, it was found to increase the realization that there are more and the cons than pros of smoking, lower pros of smoking. The paths from the processes of change to self-efficacy, and from self-efficacy to smoking cessation were stronger for the low satisfaction group than the high satisfaction group. Furthermore, the path from the cons of smoking to self-efficacy was found to be more significant for the high satisfaction group than the low satisfaction group. Conclusions: The effect of the cessation of smoking differed depending on the satisfaction level with the smoking cessation clinics.