Associations of Depressive Symptoms With Quit Motivation and Quit Efficacy Among Korean Adults: Findings From the 2023 ITC Korea Survey

We examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and 2 key predictors of smoking cessation—quit motivation and quit efficacy—among 1608 South Korean adults (aged ≥19) who smoked cigarettes regularly (≥weekly) and participated in the 2023 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Korea Survey. Overall, 19.0% reported depressive symptoms, which were significantly associated with sociodemographic factors, nicotine dependence, alcohol use, quit motivation, and quit efficacy. Those with depressive symptoms showed greater quit motivation (89.7% vs 81.4%, P = .004) and quit efficacy (41.1% vs 29.9%, P = .002) than those without symptoms. In adjusted logistic regression models, depressive symptoms remained significantly associated with quit motivation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.13-3.17) and quit efficacy (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.01-2.01). Although Koreans who smoke with depressive symptoms had greater motivation to quit and had higher quit efficacy, they were not more likely to have attempted to quit.