Motivational interviewing for adolescent smokers in an emergency department

This grant supports a pilot study to examine the efficacy of a Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention specifically designed for adolescent smokers in an Emergency Department setting. The investigators will compare changes in smoking behavior between two groups of adolescent daily smokers recruited to participate in the study: one will receive brief advice to stop smoking; the other will receive an additional MI intervention designed to enhance participants' motivation to change their smoking behavior, and tailored to each individual's stage of readiness to change. Both intervention groups will receive follow-up assessments at one, three, and six months. Biochemical testing will be used to confirm self-reports of smoking status for all participants at baseline, and for those claiming abstinence at follow-up. Study data will be analyzed to determine changes in smoking behavior (motivational level, number of cigarettes per day, longest continuous abstinence) over time and between groups. The study will shed light on the effectiveness of: (1) using the AHCPR smoking cessation guideline (developed for adults) with adolescents; (2) adding a motivational component to a brief smoking advice intervention; and (3) tailoring interventions to the factors that have been shown to influence adolescents' use of tobacco and to the individual's stage of readiness to change their smoking behavior. The products of this project will include manuscripts and presentations presenting research results. If proven effective, this minimal contact intervention has the potential to be replicated in a wide range of health care settings.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $196,085.00

Awarded on: 3/24/1997

Time frame: 4/1/1997 - 12/31/1999

Grant Number: 30330