TY - JOUR
T1 - The association between changes in alternative reinforcers and short-term smoking cessation
AU - Goelz, Patricia M.
AU - Audrain-McGovern, Janet E.
AU - Hitsman, Brian
AU - Leone, Frank T.
AU - Veluz-Wilkins, Anna
AU - Jepson, Christopher
AU - Wileyto, E. Paul
AU - D'Avanzo, Paul A.
AU - Rivera, Jonathan G.
AU - Schnoll, Robert A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health ( DA025078 , DA033681 , and P50 CA143187).
Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/5/1
Y1 - 2014/5/1
N2 - Background: While more than 50% of smokers make a serious quit attempt each year, less than 10% quit permanently. Evidence from studies of adolescent smoking and other substances of abuse suggest that alternative reinforcers, a construct of Behavioral Economic Theory, may contribute to the likelihood of smoking cessation in adults. This study examined the behavioral economics of smoking cessation within a smoking cessation clinical trial and evaluated how depressive symptoms and behavioral economic variables are associated with smoking cessation. Methods: A sample of 469 smokers, enrolled in an effectiveness trial that provided counseling and 8 weeks of 21. mg nicotine patches, was analyzed. Alternative reinforcers (substitute and complementary reinforcers) and depressive symptoms were examined in relation to 7-day point prevalence abstinence, verified with breath carbon monoxide, 8 weeks after the quit date. Results: Controlling for covariates associated with cessation (nicotine dependence, age of smoking initiation, patch adherence), participants who were abstinent at week 8 showed significantly higher substitute reinforcers at all time-points, compared to those who were smoking (p's. < .05). Participants who were abstinent at week 8 showed lower complementary reinforcers and depressive symptoms at all time-points, compared to those who were smoking, but significant differences were confined to week 8 (p's. < .01). There was no significant interaction between alternative reinforcers and depressive symptoms across the 8 weeks on week 8 abstinence. Conclusions: These results support continued examination of Behavioral Economic Theory in understanding adult smoking cessation in order to inform future treatments and guidelines.
AB - Background: While more than 50% of smokers make a serious quit attempt each year, less than 10% quit permanently. Evidence from studies of adolescent smoking and other substances of abuse suggest that alternative reinforcers, a construct of Behavioral Economic Theory, may contribute to the likelihood of smoking cessation in adults. This study examined the behavioral economics of smoking cessation within a smoking cessation clinical trial and evaluated how depressive symptoms and behavioral economic variables are associated with smoking cessation. Methods: A sample of 469 smokers, enrolled in an effectiveness trial that provided counseling and 8 weeks of 21. mg nicotine patches, was analyzed. Alternative reinforcers (substitute and complementary reinforcers) and depressive symptoms were examined in relation to 7-day point prevalence abstinence, verified with breath carbon monoxide, 8 weeks after the quit date. Results: Controlling for covariates associated with cessation (nicotine dependence, age of smoking initiation, patch adherence), participants who were abstinent at week 8 showed significantly higher substitute reinforcers at all time-points, compared to those who were smoking (p's. < .05). Participants who were abstinent at week 8 showed lower complementary reinforcers and depressive symptoms at all time-points, compared to those who were smoking, but significant differences were confined to week 8 (p's. < .01). There was no significant interaction between alternative reinforcers and depressive symptoms across the 8 weeks on week 8 abstinence. Conclusions: These results support continued examination of Behavioral Economic Theory in understanding adult smoking cessation in order to inform future treatments and guidelines.
KW - Alternative reinforcers
KW - Behavioral economics
KW - Depression
KW - Smoking cessation
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U2 - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.007
DO - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 24598122
AN - SCOPUS:84897549161
VL - 138
SP - 67
EP - 74
JO - Drug and Alcohol Dependence
JF - Drug and Alcohol Dependence
SN - 0376-8716
IS - 1
ER -