Feasibility of a telephone-based intervention for support persons to help smokers quit: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Nonsmokers have a potentially supportive role in tobacco cessation efforts. The present study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a telephone-based intervention for nonsmoking support persons.


METHODS
A total of 59 support persons (mean age = 36 years, 92% female, 95% White) were randomly assigned to a control condition (N = 30; written materials only) or to a social cognitive theory-based intervention (N = 29; written materials and 5 weekly, 20- to 30-min telephone counseling sessions). Both support persons and smokers completed assessments separately by mail at baseline and at weeks 6 (end of treatment) and 26.


RESULTS
Two thirds of the smokers reported low-moderate levels of motivation to quit at baseline as assessed by the contemplation ladder. Study retention rates were excellent, with 95% of both support persons and smokers completing the week 26 assessment. Moreover, 86% of support persons in the intervention group completed all five telephone sessions. Treatment acceptability was high for both support persons and smokers. Compared with the control condition, the intervention was associated with a significant increase in support person self-efficacy to help their smoker (p = .034) and outcome expectancies (p = .025) from baseline to week 6. However, the intervention was not associated with higher smoking abstinence rates or quit attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
The program was successful in reaching smokers with lower levels of readiness to quit. The intervention was feasible and acceptable to both support persons and smokers. Although support persons and smokers can be engaged in this type of outreach program, refinements in the intervention approach are needed to improve the smoking outcomes.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology and Behavioral Health Research Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Charlton 6-273, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. patten.christi@mayo.edu
Christi A
CA
Patten
Larra R
LR
Petersen
Christine A
CA
Hughes
Jon O
JO
Ebbert
Sarah
S
Morgenthaler Bonnema
Tabetha A
TA
Brockman
Paul A
PA
Decker
Kari J
KJ
Anderson
Kenneth P
KP
Offord
Jeannie
J
Boness
Karin
K
Pyan
Carmen
C
Beddow
D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States