title: Web-based intervention for adolescent nonsmokers to help parents stop smoking: a pilot feasibility study.
abstract: A novel approach to tobacco control is to engage adolescent nonsmokers in support roles to encourage and help their parents stop smoking. This pilot study examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of a web-based support skills training (SST) intervention for adolescents to help a parent stop smoking. Forty nonsmoking adolescents 13-19 years of age (70% female, 93% White) were enrolled and randomly assigned to a health education (HE) control group (n=20) or SST (n=20). Both consisted of written materials and five weekly, 30 min, web-based, counselor-facilitated group sessions. Parents were enrolled for assessments only. Adolescents and parents completed assessments at baseline, week 6 (post-treatment), week 12 and 6-months follow-up. Both interventions were feasible based on treatment acceptability ratings, study retention and treatment compliance. The biochemically confirmed 6-month smoking abstinence rate was higher for parents linked to teens in HE (35%, 7/20) than in SST (10%, 2/20), p=0.13. About half of parents in each group reported a quit attempt since study enrollment. Teens can be engaged to help parents stop smoking. Future research is warranted on determining effective intervention approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. patten.christi@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Christi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Keila N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Tabetha A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Brockman
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: Lara P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Kenneth P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Offord
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult