Search

Objectives. To test a tailored mobile health (i.e., mHealth) intervention for waterpipe tobacco cessation in young adults. Methods. From 2018 to 2020 at 2 US sites, we conducted a randomized trial with 349 waterpipe tobacco smokers aged 18 to 30 years randomized to control (no intervention), untailored, or tailored intervention arms. Intervention arms received a 6-week mHealth intervention conveying risks of waterpipe tobacco through text and images and strategies to enhance motivation and support quitting. The tailored intervention was personalized to baseline measures and intervention text message responses. Risk appraisals, motivation to quit, waterpipe smoking frequency, and cessation were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Results. At 6 months, cessation was higher in the tailored (49%) than the control arm (29%; odds ratio = 2.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 4.2) and smoking frequency was lower in the tailored (mean = 3.5 days) than the control arm (mean = 4.3 days; P = .006). At interim follow-ups, significant differences in other outcomes favored the tailored intervention. Conclusions. Tailored mobile messaging can help young adult waterpipe tobacco smokers quit. This scalable intervention is poised for population implementation.

Young adults who never engaged in waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) yet are open to trying it, that is, are susceptible, is a high-risk group for initiation WTS. Very few interventions dissuade this group from WTS. Thus, we explored how four short videos that varied themes of WTS harms influenced susceptible young adults' risk perceptions, risk beliefs, and susceptibility to future WTS. As part of online cross-sectional study, 208 participants aged 18-34 were randomized to watch or not a short video; each video focused on different themes of WTS risks: physical harms, myths about WTS, addiction, and harms to others. The main outcomes were perceived personal risks, risk beliefs, perceived harm of WTS compared to cigarettes, and susceptibility to future WTS. Watching any video increased beliefs of harm of WTS and lowered susceptibility to future WTS compared to not watching a video. The theme of physical harms was most effective at increasing risk beliefs and lowering susceptibility to future WTS. All four videos were rated as credible, engaging, personally relevant, producing negative affect toward WTS, and effective at dissuading WTS. These promising findings suggest further testing is needed to determine if effects persist and prevent WTS among adults susceptible to WTS.

Negative health effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) are likely more pronounced in dual rather than single smoker couples. Data on how smokers' perceived harms for self and partner differ between couple types and how these perceptions are associated with motivation to quit are needed. We examined these associations by surveying one member of dual smoker (i.e., both partners smoke) and single smoker (i.e., one partner smokes) couples who engages in WTS. We enrolled online adults ages 18-32 who engaged in WTS during the last month and were in a committed relationship of at least six months. Participants rated their harm to self and, when relevant, to partner, how much they were harming their partner due to their WTS, and partner's smoke exposure. Participants reported their motivation to quit. Of the 323 participants, 215 (67%) were in dual smoker couples. Participants in dual smoker couples reported lower own perceived risk, which correlated highly with perceived partner risk, than participants in single smoker couples; they also reported harming their partners more even though they downplayed how frequency of smoke exposure was harming the partner. Motivation to quit did not differ by couple type. Across couple types, motivation to quit increased with greater perceived harms. Smokers in dual compared to single smoker couples downplay their risks and perceived harms their smoking causes their partner. Interventions focused on harms to self and partner may be effective to increase motivation to quit and cessation in both couple types.

Introduction Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) often occurs socially, increasing health risks for the smoker and others through secondhand smoke effects. While messages on WTS harms enhance perceived risks for self, whether these messages elevate perceived risks for others, such as one’s romantic partner who engages in WTS, is unclear. We tested this idea by surveying one member of dual-smoking couples who engages in WTS. Aims and Methods As part of an online study, we enrolled adults ages 18–30 who engaged in WTS and were in a committed relationship of at least 6 months whose partner engaged in WTS. Participants were randomized to a control arm or to one of two arms consisting of watching a brief video on health harms or overcoming myths about WTS, respectively. Outcomes were perceived harms and measures of desire and probability of quitting for self and partner. Results Participants (N = 238) who watched either video, compared with participants who did not watch a video, reported greater perceived health risks for self and partner and that their own WTS harmed their partner. Participants who watched either video reported a greater desire to quit for themselves, perceived that their partner had a greater desire to quit, and reported a higher likelihood of quitting together in the next 6 months. Conclusions Brief videos containing risk-based messaging increase young adult waterpipe tobacco smokers’ perceived harms and desire to quit for self and partner. This can be a useful strategy to motivate cessation in couples who engage in WTS. Implications This study shows for the first time that at least among one member of dual-smoking couples who engages in WTS, brief videos on harms of WTS influences perceived harms and motivation to quit for the self and one’s partner. This can be a useful strategy to promote cessation.

Background Children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) often have deficits in social cognition and social skills that contribute to poor adaptive functioning. These deficits may be of relevance to the later occurrence of serious psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. Yet, there are no evidence-based interventions to improve social cognitive functioning in children with 22q11DS. Methods Using a customised social cognitive curriculum, we conducted a pilot small-group-based social cognitive training (SCT) programme in 13 adolescents with 22q11DS, relative to a control group of nine age- and gender-matched adolescents with 22q11DS. Results We found the SCT programme to be feasible, with high rates of compliance and satisfaction on the part of the participants and their families. Our preliminary analyses indicated that the intervention group showed significant improvements in an overall social cognitive composite index. Conclusions SCT in a small-group format for adolescents with 22q11DS is feasible and results in gains in social cognition. A larger randomised controlled trial would permit assessment of efficacy of this promising novel intervention.