Quitting is such a sweet sorrow: a grounded theory study of unassisted smoking cessation among Filipino adult smokers

Abstract

Background: Prevention and cessation remain the only effective public health measures to reduce the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Methods: This Glaserian grounded theory study aimed to explore and to better understand the cessation experience process of a select group of Filipino adult smokers who have successfully quitted on their own without professionally or pharmacologically mediated assistance. It was conducted in the national capital of the Philippines. The purposive sample (N-35) was consisted of Filipino adults belonging to the age group of 30–50 years old, both male and female, are residents of the national capital region of the Philippines. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews guided by an aide memoire. The validation techniques of members check and critical friend were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the study. Bracketing, horizontalization, and resonance were as well observed to increase the rigor of the inquiry. The Institutional Review Board of a university approved the study protocol. Results: The emerged themes indicated that the presence of identifiable catalysts that motivated the study participants are seen as the foundation for successful quitting. Though driven by their motivations, the study participants faced certain struggles, which they managed by channeling these challenges that enable them to make quitting important enough to sustain in the long-term. Quitting became more appealing, facilitating and vital as smoking cessation cultivated positive outcomes. They ultimately characterized their success by being exemplars to smokers and those who are attempting to quit. Conclusions: A model was developed grounded on the data collected that could provide rich information about the complex and highly variable process of unassisted smoking cessation. This study can provide the framework and evidence for emboldening nurses to play an important role in advocacy and advisory concerning unassisted smoking cessation. Process that enable change must be explored and identified, as it is of importance for the development of effective health promotion interventions. Health care professionals such as nurses should give their utmost attention and be more focused on the problem of smoking. They should better understand the relapsing nature of smoking dependence and the requirements for ongoing care.