title: Blogging to Quit Smoking: Sharing Stories from Women of Childbearing Years in Ontario.
abstract: This study examined the degree to which the pregnant or postpartum women, in the process of quitting smoking, felt that writing in a blog about their smoking cessation journeys helped them in their efforts to become or remain smoke free. Five women who blogged for Prevention of Gestational and Neonatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (a website designed to help pregnant and postpartum women quit smoking) were interviewed about their experiences as bloggers. Participants were asked to complete an online survey, which had closed-ended questions regarding their sociodemographic and smoking characteristics. Once they completed the survey, semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted over the phone. Findings suggest that blogging might combine several evidence-based behavioral strategies for tobacco cessation, such as journaling and getting support from others who use tobacco. Being part of a blogging community of women who have experienced or are experiencing similar challenges can be therapeutic and help women gain confidence in their ability to quit smoking. In conclusion, blogging may help pregnant and postpartum women quit smoking by increasing their social support and promoting self-reflection.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minian
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
authors.forename: Aliya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noormohamed
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dragonetti
authors.affiliation: Ontario Women's Health Network.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Ontario Women's Health Network.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lessels
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; Ontario Tobacco Research Unit.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Selby
keywords: blogging; postpartum; pregnant; smoking cessation