Changing multiple health behaviors in cancer survivors: smoking and exercise

Research regarding cross-behavioral relationships between the cognitive mechanisms motivating health behavior change is lacking for cancer survivors. This study investigated these relationships to inform the development of multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions for this at-risk population. Eligible participants included cancer survivors attending an intake appointment for smoking cessation services. This cross-sectional survey study assessed participants’ self-efficacy and motivation (stage of change) for smoking cessation and exercise, as well as self-reported health behaviors. Analyses evaluated cross-behavioral associations between cognitive mechanisms and their relationships with smoking and exercise behaviors. Seventy-six participants completed the survey questionnaire. The correlation between self-efficacy scores for smoking cessation and exercise was statistically significant (r =.45, 95% CI [.09,.67]), as were correlations between self-efficacy and reported levels of exercise ((r =.44, 95% CI [.20,.65]) strenuous); ((r =.36, 95% CI [.12,.59]) moderate), exercise self-efficacy and smoking behavior (r = −.27, 95% CI [−.46, −.05]), and smoking self-efficacy and smoking behavior (r = −0.41, 95% CI [−.61, −.18]). For cancer survivors, associations between exercise self-efficacy and smoking cessation self-efficacy may offer an opportunity to leverage MHBC; specifically, this positive association may facilitate exercise intervention in survivors seeking smoking cessation services.