The Effectiveness of a Self-Efficacy Development Program on Self-Efficacy and Preventive Behaviors Against Electronic Cigarette Use Among Male Vocational Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has become an increasing public health concern among adolescents, particularly male vocational students who are at high risk of tobacco use. This study examined the effectiveness of a self-efficacy development program on self-efficacy and preventive behaviors against e-cigarette use among male vocational students in private vocational colleges in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent comparison group pretest–posttest design was conducted with 68 second-year male vocational students assigned to an experimental group (n = 34) and a comparison group (n = 34). The experimental group participated in an 8-week self-efficacy development program based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory, while the comparison group received the standard health education curriculum. Baseline self-efficacy and preventive behavior did not differ significantly between groups. Following the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher self-efficacy and preventive behavior than the comparison group (both p < .001), with significant within-group improvements observed only in the experimental group. These findings indicate that the program effectively enhanced self-efficacy and preventive behaviors against    e-cigarette use and may provide an effective school-based strategy for preventing e-cigarette use among vocational students.