Predictors of outcome and recidivism in smoking cessation treatment

Abstract

In an attempt to determine predictors of success in a multicomponent behavioral treatment program for smoking, data generated from a pre-treatment history questionnaire and treatment records for 100 participants were analyzed by computer. Participants who abstained after eight weeks of treatment were those who had smoked at lower rates and for shorter periods of time, who were less overweight, and who were more compliant with treatment instructions (keeping daily records). In a separate analysis of recidivism, participants who were less likely to have relapsed by the one-year follow-up were those who, prior to treatment, had reported smoking a greater proportion of cigarettes in non-dysphoric (positive or neutral affect) states. The variables which predicted outcome were independent from those which predicted recidivism and vice versa. The research suggests that treatment effectiveness might be enhanced by providing components which take into account individual subject characteristics.