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Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shaw, RJ; Pollak, K; Zullig, LL; Bennett, G; Hawkins, K; Lipkus, I
Published in: Nicotine Tob Res
May 2016

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable mortality. Mobile technologies, including text messaging, provide opportunities to promote quitting. Many text messaging-based cessation interventions contain content created by experts. However, smokers may be best persuaded by receipt of text messages they created based on their reasons for quitting, assisted or not by a motivational facilitator. This study assessed the feasibility and participants' evaluation of two ways to self-generate smoking cessation messages delivered via cell-phone. METHODS: We enrolled smokers (N = 24) and randomized them to: (1) behavioral counseling assistance plus self-generated messages, or (2) self-generated messages only. Both groups wrote: (1) their reasons for wanting to quit and then (2) text messages related to their reason(s) for quitting, Messages were delivered as text messages as well as with a link to verbatim self-recorded audio message for 10 days. At follow-up, participants evaluated the intervention. RESULTS: Participants composed and recorded messages and evaluated them and the intervention favorably. The counseling+message group wrote an average of 7.66 (SD = 4.86) text messages while the message-only wrote an average of 6.66 (SD = 2.93) messages. Most participants felt that the messages were of appropriate length, including the frequency and timing of message delivery. CONCLUSION: It is feasible for smokers to self-generate motivational text and audio messages concerning reasons for quitting, even among smokers without an immediate desire to quit. Participants evaluated the messages and intervention favorably. Future research should test self-generated messages in larger trials of self- versus expert-generated message. IMPLICATIONS: This study assessed the feasibility and participants' evaluation of two ways to self-generate smoking cessation messages delivered via cell-phone. It is feasible for smokers to self-generate motivational text and audio messages concerning reasons for quitting, even among smokers without an immediate desire to quit. Participants evaluated the messages and intervention favorable. Future research should test self-generated messages in larger trials of self- versus expert-generated messages.

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Published In

Nicotine Tob Res

DOI

EISSN

1469-994X

Publication Date

May 2016

Volume

18

Issue

5

Start / End Page

1206 / 1209

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Text Messaging
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Self Care
  • Public Health
  • Humans
  • Counseling
  • Cell Phone
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4202 Epidemiology
 

Citation

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Shaw, R. J., Pollak, K., Zullig, L. L., Bennett, G., Hawkins, K., & Lipkus, I. (2016). Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting. Nicotine Tob Res, 18(5), 1206–1209. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv268
Shaw, Ryan J., Kathryn Pollak, Leah L. Zullig, Gary Bennett, Karen Hawkins, and Isaac Lipkus. “Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting.Nicotine Tob Res 18, no. 5 (May 2016): 1206–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv268.
Shaw RJ, Pollak K, Zullig LL, Bennett G, Hawkins K, Lipkus I. Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting. Nicotine Tob Res. 2016 May;18(5):1206–9.
Shaw, Ryan J., et al. “Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting.Nicotine Tob Res, vol. 18, no. 5, May 2016, pp. 1206–09. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/ntr/ntv268.
Shaw RJ, Pollak K, Zullig LL, Bennett G, Hawkins K, Lipkus I. Feasibility and Smokers' Evaluation of Self-Generated Text Messages to Promote Quitting. Nicotine Tob Res. 2016 May;18(5):1206–1209.
Journal cover image

Published In

Nicotine Tob Res

DOI

EISSN

1469-994X

Publication Date

May 2016

Volume

18

Issue

5

Start / End Page

1206 / 1209

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Text Messaging
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Self Care
  • Public Health
  • Humans
  • Counseling
  • Cell Phone
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4202 Epidemiology