What Has the Autonomy Theory Taught Us About Dependence?
The Autonomy Theory has already taught us a great deal about dependence. We have learned that… Youths frequently experience diminished autonomy over tobacco use within days to weeks of initiating intermittent smoking (DiFranza et al., 2000).6 While most smokers develop symptoms rapidly, some are more resilient. The average rate of consumption at the onset of symptoms is two cigarettes, one day per week (DiFranza et al., 2002 b).7 Two-thirds of youths have symptoms prior to the onset of daily smoking.7 [DiFranza et al., 2002 b] Dependence grows one symptom at a time; it is incremental, not dichotomous. Individuals develop the various symptoms in different sequences. Most chippers have diminished autonomy over their use of tobacco.8 [Wellman, DiFranza & Wood, 2005] The appearance of a single symptom of diminished autonomy is a strong predictor of continued smoking. Even prior to the onset of daily smoking, many smokers are unsuccessful in their quit attempts. Adult social smokers who s
