Question:

Mr X is a chronic smoker. His family insists on quitting smoking. He is thinking about quitting, but is reluctant to do so because he is worried that on quitting he will become irritable. According to the health belief model, the state of the patient is?

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He is weighing change (not ignoring it) and fears a downside of quitting.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Precontemplation and preparation
  • Contemplation and extent of sickness susceptibility
  • Contemplation and cost
  • Precontemplation and cost
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Two ideas must be matched: the stage of change and the relevant health belief construct.
Step 2: Stage of change. The patient is actively thinking about quitting but has not yet decided or set a date. This is the contemplation stage (aware of the problem and considering change), not precontemplation (no intention to change).
Step 3: Health belief construct. His specific worry is that quitting will make him irritable. This is a perceived barrier to action, that is, the perceived cost or downside of taking the recommended behaviour. It is not susceptibility (his risk of getting ill) and not a benefit.
Step 4: Combining the two: he is in the contemplation stage and his reluctance reflects perceived cost (barrier). Therefore the correct answer is Contemplation and cost.
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