Cummings, K. M., Emont, S. L., Jaén, C., & Sciandra, R. (1988).  Format and quitting instructions as factors influencing the impact of a aelf-administered quit smoking program. Health Education Quarterly,15(2), 199-216. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500205. 

Abstract:

This article presents results from an experimental study designed to evaluate the effects of two features of self-help smoking cessation booklets, format (i.e., day-by-day plan for quitting versus a less structured menu format) and quitting instructions (i.e., "cold turkey" versus gradual reduction) on smoking cessation. Four separate self-help booklets were developed for comparison in this study. Each varied on a combination of the two study factors, but were similar in content, length, style, and readability. The four booklets provided similar advice on how to quit smoking, emphasizing behavioral self-management principles. In addition to the experimental booklets, a fifth control booklet provided general information about smoking and its adverse effects, but no specific advice on quitting. Study subjects included 1,534 adult cigarette smokers who called a stop smoking hotline in Buffalo, New York seeking information on how to quit. Subjects were followed up by phone one month and six months after enrollment to assess changes in smoking behavior. Overall, 18% of subjects reported of being off cigarettes for at least one week at the time of the six month follow-up interview. The format of the booklet and quitting instructions had no effect on smoking cessation rates. In addition, the four booklets emphasizing behavioral self-management skills were no more effective than the control booklet (6 month non-smoking prevalence rate: 17% versus 19%). It is recommended that future self-help quit smoking booklets include information aimed at motivating cessation and focus less attention on teaching strategies for quitting.

Full Text

Additional Materials

Control Materials

Low Structure

High Structure

Behaviors Targeted

  • Quitting

  • Abstinence

  • Ancillary

    • Quit Date

Behavior Change Techniques

  • 1.1 Goal Setting (Behavior)

  • 1.2 Problem Solving

  • 1.4 Action Planning

  • 1.8 Behavioral Contract

  • 2.3 Self-Monitoring Behavior

  • 2.4 Self-Monitoring Outcome(s) Behavior

  • 3.2 Social Support Practical

  • 4.1 Instructions on how to Perform a Behavior

  • 4.2 Information about Antecedents

  • 4.3 Re-Attribution

  • 5.1 Information about Health Consequences

  • 5.2 Salience of Consequences

  • 5.3 Information on Social & Environmental Consequences

  • 5.4 Monitoring Emotional Consequences

  • 5.5 Anticipated Regret

  • 5.6 Information about Emotional Consequences

  • 6.2 Social Comparison

  • 7.1 Prompts/Cues

  • 7.4 Remove Access to Reward

  • 7.5 Remove Aversive Stimulus

  • 8.2 Behavior Substitution

  • 8.4 Habit Reversal

  • 8.7 Graded Tasks

  • 9.2 Pros and Cons

  • 10.1 Material Incentive

  • 10.2 Material Reward

  • 10.3 Non-Specific Reward

  • 10.4 Social Reward

  • 10.6 Non-Specific Incentive

  • 10.7 Self-Incentive

  • 10.9 Self-Reward

  • 11.2 Reduce Negative Emotions

  • 12.1 Restructuring Physical Environment

  • 12.2 Restructuring Social Environment

  • 12.3 Avoidance/Reducing Exposure to Cues for Behavior

  • 12.4 Distraction

  • 12.5 Adding Objects to Environments

  • 12.6 Body Changes

  • 13.2 Framing/Reframing

  • 13.5 Identity Associated with Changed Behavior

  • 14.1 Behavior Costs

  • 14.2 Punishment

  • 15.1 Verbal Persuasion about Capability

  • 15.4 Self-Talk

  • 16.1 Imaginary Punishment

  • 16.2 Imaginary Reward

  • 16.3 Vicarious Consequences

  • 17.1 Identify Motives

  • 18.1 Choices

Materials