Successes and failures in resisting cigarettes affect partner support for smoking cessation

Romantic Partner Perspectives of the Relational Context of Weight Loss Support

Much of the research on romantic partner support of weight loss takes the perspective of targets pursuing weight loss. This study, however, assesses the perspectives of the partners providing support, and specifically their perceptions of the relational context and their support strategy use. An MTurk sample of 283 partners of individuals trying to lose weight reported on relational context characteristics (i.e., having a team effort, opposing approaches, and imposition regarding the weight loss pursuits) and their use of encouragement, direct influence, and coercion. Analyses largely supported the hypotheses regarding the associations between the relational characteristics and strategy use. For example, higher team effort and lower opposing approaches about weight management were linked with more encouragement, and greater opposing approaches and imposition were associated with more coercion. Four relational weight loss climates based on the collective of these characteristics were also linked with strategy use. All associations were found after accounting for general relationship satisfaction as well as other control variables. Overall, the findings suggest that perceptions of the weight loss in the context of the relationship were connected to the strategies partners employed in helping targets achieve weight loss. Because strategies vary in effectiveness, understanding which relational characteristics, as well as which broader relational climates, facilitate partner strategy choice can ultimately help augment individuals' weight loss success.

Exploring the role of sex differences in the relationship between sex partner attitudes and current quit attempt among a sample of smokers

INTRODUCTION

Limited research has explored sex differences in the relationship between partner support and smoking cessation among minority low-income population. Further, scarce attention has been given to the influence of partners who are not married. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between negative and positive social support provided by partners and smoking cessation among men and women smokers.

METHODS

Data were collected as part of the Tobacco Use in Drug Environment (TIDE) study, a cross-sectional study conducted in Baltimore, Maryland, from September 2013 to May 2015. Interviews were administered with current smokers. The sample size for the current analysis was 134 men and 86 women.

RESULTS

Approximately 33% of male participants (n=45) reported currently trying to quit smoking cigarettes and 29% of women were currently trying to quit. Having a sex partner who did not mind the participant’s smoking was associated with decreased odds of trying to quit among men (AOR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.13–0.91, p=0.03). Having a sex partner who expressed concern about the participant’s smoking (AOR=12.9; 95% CI: 3.49–47.0, p<0.01) and having a sex partner who encouraged the participant to quit smoking was significantly associated with current quit attempt among women. In supplementary analyses, we found that each type of partner support varied based on the type of partner – committed or casual.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding sex-partner support regarding smoking and their relationship to smoking cessation activities may provide insights for future tailored cessation interventions.

Targeting Nonsmokers to Help Smokers Quit: Features of a Large-scale Intervention

Smoking continues to be a major public health problem, despite a substantial decline in prevalence rates over the last decades. Quit smoking interventions typically target smokers, whether through individual or group treatment or through broader public health campaigns. Yet, nonsmokers represent a vast and largely untapped resource to help smokers quit. This article describes an innovative approach that targeted nonsmokers through a media-style campaign with repeated reminders about smoking cessation. We tested the nonsmoker intervention in a large randomized trial and showed it to be effective in helping smokers quit. Components of the intervention included repeated mailings with relevant cessation messages over a 10-week period, 2 brief check-in telephone calls, and access to a study Web site. In this article, we discuss details of the intervention development, content, and implementation.

Demographic and sexual risk predictors of delay discounting of condom-protected sex

Objective: Sexual delay discounting describes the decreased likelihood of condom-protected sex if a condom is not immediately available, which can be quantitatively summarised using the Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDDT). The present studies determined the extent to which condom use likelihood as assessed by the SDDT is associated with self-reported sexual risk behaviours and demographics in two online samples of adults. Design: Study 1 (n = 767) assessed demographics, sexual risk behaviour, and delay discounting, and examined relations between these variables using correlation and regression. Study 2 (n = 267) examined whether real-world instances of unprotected sex because a condom was not immediately available predicted greater sexual discounting. Main outcome measures: Sexual delay discounting, condom use. Results: Both studies observed significant positive relations between sexual delay discounting and self-reported sexual risk behaviours, and found that males tended to show greater sexual discounting. In Study 2, 46% of the sample self-reported having unprotected sex because a condom was not immediately available, and these individuals showed significantly greater sexual delay discounting. Conclusion: These results extend prior findings by demonstrating that delay is a critical variable underlying real-life sexual risk behaviour among non-clinical samples. The SDDT is an ecologically valid measure of these processes.

Support person interventions to increase use of quitline services among racially diverse low-income smokers: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Social support from nonsmokers may have a role in prompting smokers to use evidence-based cessation treatment. Prior studies found that an intervention for nonsmoking support persons (SPs) was effective for promoting smokers' use of free, state quitline services. This pilot study adapted and assessed feasibility of this intervention for a racially diverse, low-income population.

METHODS

Single group, non-randomized design enrolling SP-smoker dyads with low income status enrolled in one of three study "waves" of 10 pairs each. Participants were recruited using flyers and in-person outreach methods. The SP intervention included a 1-session coaching call and written materials; study waves 2 and 3 also included text messaging and a monetary incentive for smokers who used quitline services. Using content analysis, the intervention was iteratively adapted based on SP feedback. Baseline measures assessed socio-demographics, dyad and tobacco use characteristics. Follow-up assessments were conducted among SPs at 1-month follow-up and among smokers at 3-months follow-up. Feasibility indicators were recruitment, retention, and SP intervention acceptability and adherence. Secondary outcomes were smokers' use of any quitline service verified by quitline staff and 7-day, point prevalence, biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 3 months.

RESULTS

Recruitment of 30 dyads was feasible; in-person recruitment methods were the most successful. SPs who completed follow-up assessments found the intervention acceptable, suggesting only minor content modifications, and they perceived the quitline information as novel. But the study had some feasibility challenges (e.g., SP coaching call completion: 60% and SP study retention: 53%). At 3 months, 2 smokers (7%) had used any quitline service and 13% were biochemically confirmed smoking abstinent.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated feasibility of recruiting SP-smoker dyads from diverse, low-income communities. While the intervention was well received, its delivery was not feasible in this population. Results suggest that further consumer adaptation of the intervention is needed among both SPs and smokers.

Committed relationships and substance use: recent findings and future directions

Recent research on substance use in committed relationships covers three general areas. First, partners tend to be concordant for substance use, and concordance is at least partially the result of partner influence (or convergence). Second, substance use (particularly discrepant use) predicts relationship outcomes such as lower relationship quality and greater conflict, intimate partner aggression, and risky sex. Concordant use, however, can be protective. Finally, relationship variables, such as conflict, intimate partner aggression, and support for cessation, predict substance use. Recent advances in methodological innovation, such as the use of longitudinal designs and dyadic data, are noted. Although the field has moved in some new directions conceptually, the research in this area is still relatively atheoretical. Suggestions for future research directions are discussed.

A dyadic planning intervention to quit smoking in single-smoking couples: design of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of death. Smoking cessation interventions that use implementation intentions show promising results. Implementation intentions are if-then plans that specify a certain behaviour within a situational context. This study will examine whether involving a non-smoking partner could improve planning interventions, and whether and which partner interactions underlie this effectiveness.

Methods

This single-blind randomized controlled trial has a longitudinal design with a baseline questionnaire, end-of-day measurements for three weeks starting on the quit date, and a follow-up questionnaire after three months.

Participants: single-smoking couples who live together and are in a relationship for more than one year.

Setting: couples are randomized to either a dyadic or individual planning condition. After the intervention the smoker attempts to quit smoking and the diary measurements start.

Measurements: The primary outcome variable is smoking abstinence. Secondary outcome measures are smoking behaviour and relationship satisfaction. Partner interactions are examined as a possible mediator.

Discussion

This RCT is the first to examine the effectiveness of dyadic planning to quit smoking in single-smoking couples. Partner interactions are thought to play an important role during the quit attempt, and therefore in the effectiveness of the intervention. This RCT will provide more insight into which daily partner interactions are beneficial for smoking abstinence and the couples’ relationship satisfaction, and whether the type of intervention is related to different types or levels of partner interactions and smoking behaviour. When proven effective, this planning intervention in combination with coaching for the non-smoking partner will be a valuable and low-cost addition to existing smoking interventions.

Trial registration

The trial is retrospectively registered on 19/04/2017 on www.trialregister.nl (TC: 6398).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40359-018-0266-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.