Variability of tailoring of a smoking cessation intervention based on the transtheoretical model.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines smoking cessation intervention materials that are based on the transtheoretical model from a content-based perspective.


METHODS
Data of 2 population-based intervention studies with total N=1044 were used. Analyses compared how many unique intervention materials could be generated theoretically and how many unique intervention materials were needed empirically.


RESULTS
The intervention system was able to generate theoretically a total of 1040 unique intervention materials with normative feedback only, and almost half a million unique intervention materials with normative and ipsative feedback. This variability was needed empirically. For smokers in precontemplation, all possible intervention materials were used. For smokers in contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance, intervention materials were hardly created more than once.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the transtheoretical model to create tailored intervention materials yields an enormous variability of tailoring. However, tailoring for precontemplation needs improvement. Additional tailoring variables for precontemplation could be long-term quitting plans, intention to reduce smoking, experiences with past behavior, or severity of nicotine dependence.
Schumann
Anja
A
University Greifswald, Institute for Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany. aschumann@challiance.org
John
Ulrich
U
Ulbricht
Sabina
S
Rüge
Jeannette
J
Bischof
Gallus
G
Meyer
Christian
C
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*