Health perception, health belief model-based smoking cessation constructs, and nicotine dependence as predictors of intention to quit smoking among deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships among health perception, Health Belief Model-Based Smoking Cessation constructs, nicotine dependence, and intention to quit smoking among deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults, and to determine the predictive contribution of these variables to intention to quit smoking. Method: This cross-sectional correlational study included 680 deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults aged 18-25 years. Data were collected using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Intention to Quit Smoking Scale, the Health Belief Model-Based Smoking Cessation Scale, and the Health Perception Scale. Pearson’s correlation analysis, hierarchical multiple regression, mediation analysis, moderation analysis, and structural equation modelling were performed. Results: Intention to quit smoking was significantly and positively associated with health perception and self-efficacy, and significantly and negatively associated with the HBM-SCS composite score, nicotine dependence, smoking consumption, degree of hearing loss, and perceived barriers (p<.001). The final hierarchical regression model explained 35.6% of the variance in intention to quit smoking (R²=.356). Self-efficacy was a statistically significant mediator of the association between smoking consumption and intention to quit smoking; the indirect effect was -0.50, with a 95% bootstrap confidence interval of [-0.64,-0.37]. Degree of hearing loss significantly moderated the association between smoking consumption and intention to quit smoking (B=-0.12, SE=0.05, t=- 2.40, p=.017). The structural equation model demonstrated good fit (χ²/df=2.51, CFI=.962, TLI=.953, RMSEA=.042, SRMR=.035). Conclusion: Health perception, Health Belief Model-Based Smoking Cessation constructs, and nicotine dependence were significantly associated with intention to quit smoking among deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults. Self-efficacy emerged as a significant mediator, whereas degree of hearing loss showed a significant moderating role.