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Background: The transtheoretical model is an influential theoretical model in health psychology, particularly in its application to smoking cessation research. Decisional Balance (DB) and Temptations are key constructs within this framework., Purpose: This study examines the psychometric properties of the DB and Temptations scales for smoking in a predominantly African-American sample of urban adolescent girls., Methods: We used confirmatory factor analysis to compare the fit of previously published factor structures in smokers (n = 233) and nonsmokers (n = 598). External validity was tested by examining stages of change differences in the retained subscales., Results: Results supported the internal and external validity of the DB scale for smokers and nonsmokers. Notably, previously published three-factor (Social Pros, Coping Pros, Cons) and four-factor (Cons split into "Aesthetic Cons" and "Health Cons") models fit equally well, with Cons subscales correlating highly. For Temptations, a previously published three-factor (Negative Affect, Social, Weight Control) hierarchical model fit well in nonsmokers. In smokers, previously published subscales were reliably measured, but their structural relationship remained unclear. Stage difference tests showed medium to large effect sizes of DB and Temptation subscales in smokers and nonsmokers., Conclusions: The use of DB was validated for both smokers and nonsmokers in this sample of primarily African-American adolescent females, where Cons can be combined or separated into "Aesthetic Cons" and "Health Cons" based on practical utility and preference. For Temptations, more research is needed but large stage differences in Temptations subscales underscore the importance of this concept in smoking acquisition and cessation.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of providing online cessation intervention for college smokers., Methods: This is a two-group randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received $10 weekly incentives to visit an online college life magazine that provided personalized smoking cessation messages and peer email support. Evaluation assessments occurred at baseline and 8, 20, and 30 weeks after enrollment. The primary outcome is self-reported 30-day abstinence at week 30. Carbon monoxide (CO) breath testing was performed for participants reporting 30-day abstinence at week 30., Results: Five-hundred and seventeen college smokers at the University of Minnesota were enrolled via internet health screening (control=260, intervention=257) in the fall of 2004. Intervention participants completed an average of 18.9 (SD 2.5) of 20 weekly website visits over the course of the study. The rate of 30-day abstinence at week 30 was higher for the intervention compared to the control group (41% vs. 23%, p<0.001). CO testing showed low rates of under-reporting. There was no difference in self-reported 6-month prolonged abstinence measured at week 30., Conclusion: Providing personalized smoking cessation messages as part of a general interest online college life magazine increased 30-day abstinence by the end of this two semester intervention.

Internet-based cessation programs are promising. However, little information exists on how to recruit college smokers to participate in online interventions. Two studies assessed the feasibility of Internet health screening as a recruitment strategy for college smokers. The Internet Survey Study compared Internet (n = 735), mail (n = 1,490), and phone (n = 550) surveys as means to identify college smokers. The RealU Recruitment Study described the use of an Internet-based general health screening survey (N = 25,000) to recruit for an online cessation trial. The Internet Survey Study showed that, despite large differences in response rates (Internet = 38%, mail = 47%, phone = 90%; p<.001), the rates of past-month tobacco use were similar (Internet = 35%, mail = 38%, phone = 34%; p = .35). Among past-month users, a greater proportion reported daily use on the Internet (33%) and phone (37%) surveys versus the mail survey (23%, p = .007). In the RealU Recruitment Study, 517 college smokers were recruited in 1 week. The Internet survey response rate was 26%, the prevalence of current smoking was 29%, the eligibility rate was 87%, and the enrollment rate was 32% (517/1,618). Internet health screening can be used to quickly identify and enroll large numbers of college smokers in an online smoking cessation intervention.

The Processes of Change are the cognitions, behaviors, and emotions that people employ to change their behaviors. However, the processes of change remain the least studied dimension of the transtheoretical model. The present study presents a psychometric evaluation of the short form of the processes of change inventory for smoking cessation in an adolescent sample of 798 ninth-grade smokers from 22 Rhode Island high schools. The majority of the sample was white (87.2%), split approximately evenly as regards to gender (48.1% female), with an average age of 14.3 (SD=0.6) years of age. The same hierarchical model established on the adult sample was fit to the 20-item inventory. This model included 10 primary factors representing the processes of change and two second order factors that grouped the processes into five behavioral and five experiential processes of change. Model fit indices (RMSEA=0.08, CFI=0.92) supported the hypothesized structure. External validation was established by testing for stage differences in the use of the ten processes. A significant MANOVA (F(4,793)=18.517, p<0.001) and separate ANOVAs demonstrated that the use of all ten processes increased across the stages, as predicted by the transtheoretical model of behavior change. The processes of change help guide researchers, clinicians, and intervention program developers towards effective strategies to assist individuals at all stages of change progress towards healthier behaviors.

Within a computer-assisted smoking prevention and cessation program, 78 high school students completed a modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire twice during a two-month time period. Although analysis of the instrument revealed sufficient stability, future research should include the development of items that better reflect adolescent smoking patterns. (MKA)

High rates of Internet use among young adults make online intervention with this population particularly attractive. However, low adherence rates limit the exposure to and the potential effectiveness of these programs. This study identifies strategies for increasing adherence by examining the rates of participation for a 5-week beta (pilot) version and final version of the RealU Web site, an online intervention for college smokers. Three modifications from the beta to the RealU Web site were (a) changing format from a smoking cessation Web site to an online college life magazine, (b) providing proactive peer e-mail support, and (c) adopting a more linear site structure. Participants were recruited via Internet health screening and received US$10 for completing weekly study activities. Enrollment among eligible smokers was higher for the beta compared with the RealU intervention (47/69, 68.1% vs. 517/1618, 32.0%, p<.001), but participants did not differ in terms of age, gender, or past 30-day cigarette or alcohol use. Participation fell sharply during the beta test (53% in week 1 to 26% by week 5) compared with the RealU average of 95% (range 89% to 98%). Participation during each study's final week was much higher in the RealU (93% week 20) compared with the beta (26% week 5, p<.001). After 5 weeks, self-reported 30-day abstinence was higher for RealU intervention participants (16.0%) compared with the beta participants (4.3%, p = .03). The modifications from the beta to RealU Web site described above resulted in high rates of sustained participation over 20 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-reports of cigarette smoking in a sample of young adults, aged 17 to 21 (n = 359) obtained by telephone were validated by home interview and saliva cotinine measurement. While most subjects were in agreement for their reported behaviors, the telephone methodology underestimated cigarette smoking rates by 3 to 4 per cent. Reported quitting by telephone was an unstable category with 35 per cent of quitters reporting smoking on home interview. Reliance on telephone methods alone may underestimate smoking behavior. Validation of surveys, preferably by biochemical methods, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a two-year investigation of cigarette smoking incidence in a population of Minnesota adolescents, the perceived smoking behavior of friends at baseline was a strong predictor of smoking onset. Additional predictors included: siblings' smoking behavior, parents' education level, and seven psychosocial scales including independence and rebelliousness. Smoking prevention strategies which teach youth to cope with social influences are well founded. Results also indicate that younger adolescents may yet be dissuaded from beginning smoking by knowledge of the health consequences of smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]