Examining Outcome Expectancies and Behavioral Reinforcers Among Young Adult Smokers

American University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Smoking Cessation

Treatments: Behavioral: Expectancy Challenge + Behavioral Activation; Behavioral: Expectancy Challenge; Behavioral: Control

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04383782

KDYAS2020

Details and patient eligibility

About

Chronic cigarette smoking habits often begin in adolescence or early adulthood. 98% of cigarette smokers try their first cigarette before the age of 26. Thus, young adult smokers represent an important target for early smoking cessation intervention. This study tests two interventions designed to increase motivation to quit and decrease smoking behavior. These interventions include: an expectancy challenge approach, which aims to increase negative beliefs about the consequences of smoking; and a behavioral economics approach, which encourages participants to substitute non-smoking behaviors that may still provide reinforcement similar to reinforcement derived from smoking a cigarette.

Enrollment: 159 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18-35 years old
• English fluency
• Living in the United States
• Smoked at least 1 cigarette per week during the past month
• Willing to be contacted for 1-month follow up assessment

Exclusion criteria

• N/A

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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159 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Expectancy Challenge

Active Comparator group

Description:

The expectancy challenge intervention will involve two brief videotaped testimonials in which former smokers discuss their experiences with smoking-related health conditions. Participants will be encouraged to reflect back on the content of each video once per week leading up to the follow-up assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Expectancy Challenge

Expectancy Challenge + Behavioral Activation

Experimental group

Description:

In addition to the expectancy challenge intervention (see Expectancy Challenge condition), participants in the Expectancy Challenge + Behavioral Activation group will also receive a novel behavioral activation intervention. Participants will be presented with brief psychoeducation about behavioral activation, several examples of possible functions of cigarette smoking, and several suggestions of behavioral strategies. All participants will receive the same information, but they will be encouraged to apply the information to their personal circumstances and to consider additional examples of rewarding activities they may engage in over the next four weeks. Participants will also be encouraged to engage in at least one behavioral activation activity each week leading up to the follow-up assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Expectancy Challenge + Behavioral Activation

Neutral Reading

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive neutral reading materials related to the components and structure of a cigarette. The content will be strictly curated so as to avoid inadvertently encouraging or discouraging smoking among participants.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Control