Effects of a text message-based motivational interviewing intervention on cigarette smoking in college students.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of a novel text message-based motivational interviewing intervention on cigarette smoking behavior in college students. Three manuscripts comprised this dissertation and included: a state of the science review of motivational interviewing and text message-based smoking behavior interventions in adolescents and young adults; a critical review and analysis of instruments used to measure nicotine dependence in young adults; and a quasi-experimental study testing the effects of a novel text message-based motivational interviewing intervention on cigarette smoking behavior in college students. Background: Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of chronic disease and death in the United States. Despite available information and preventive efforts, approximately 10% of college students smoke cigarettes. Although many studies have confirmed this public health concern, few attempted modification of smoking behavior in college students. A critical review of the literature revealed that the vast majority of smoking behavior research in college students was epidemiological in nature, and few interventions were designed specifically for college students who smoke. Main findings from this review suggested that motivational interviewing and text messaging interventions were successfully used among adolescents and young adults and hold strong potential for college students. However, more investigations, especially studies examining joint interventions of motivational interviewing and text-messaging, are needed. The second manuscript reviewed commonly used self-report nicotine dependence measures used with young adult populations. Three instruments, including the Fagerstrӧm Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Cigarette Dependence Scale, and the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, were identified as the most commonly used instruments and were subjected to further psychometric analysis. Methods: The third manuscript summarized a quasi-experimental study designed to test the effects of a novel text message-based motivational interviewing intervention (iMI) on cigarette smoking behavior in college students and to provide a better understanding of smoking behavior regulation. The aims of the study were to : (1) test the effects of the iMI on cognitive parameters of behavior regulation (psychological needs satisfaction, autonomous motivation, smoking self-efficacy, and readiness to quit) among college students who smoke, (2) evaluate the effect of the intervention on smoking behavior (number of cigarettes smoked per day and severity of nicotine addiction) between baseline and 2-week post-intervention follow-up, and (3) identify independent predictors of change in smoking behavior among college students, from baseline to 2-week post-intervention follow-up. Undergraduate students (N = 33) were recruited to participate in the study that lasted five weeks (3-week intervention program with 2-week…