Symbolic self completion as mediator between nicotine dependence and quit intention: a nationally representative survey

This study aims to investigate the relationship between nicotine dependence and quit intentions, and the degree to which symbolic completion of the self through smoking mediates this relationship. Symbolic self-completion theory assumes that a person seeks to display symbols in relation to how society would respond. A survey was conducted among a population-based sample of smokers in Turkiye to measure nicotine dependence, intention to quit, and the absence of symbolic self-completion. Mediation analysis was conducted using the Hayes model #4 to investigate the degree to which (symbolic) smoking was linked to dependence and quit intention. Based on regression analyses, nicotine dependence was found to decrease the intention to quit (coeff = −.039**), while an absence of symbolic self-completion was found to increase quit intention (coeff = .6118**). Symbolic self-completion was found to be a significant (partial) mediator between dependence and quit intentions. Although the regression approach is utilized in the analysis, this study still relies on cross-sectional data, so further inquiry is needed to establish casual relationships. Smoking is an activity that is publicly noticeable, thereby serving as a symbol of the self within a socio-cultural context. The symbolic power of smoking should be considered along with physical dependence.