Effects of a family-assisted smoking cessation intervention based on motivational interviewing among low-motivated smokers in China

Abstract

Objective: To test the efficacy of a family-assisted smoking cessation intervention based on Motivational interviewing (MI) among low-motivated Chinese smokers.

Methods: A two-armed randomized controlled trial study design was utilized. 159 Smoker-supporter pairs were randomly allocated to the intervention (a family-assisted MI intervention-77) or control (an intensity-matched health education-82) group (IG & CG). Change in smoking characteristics, communication characteristics, Partner Intervention Questionnaire (PIQ), Decisional Balance Scale (DBL), and Situational Temptations Scale (STP) were measured at baseline, post-intervention, 3-month and 6-month follow-up.

Results: Compared to CG, IG had more significant increase over time in self-report quitting attempts of at least 24h, biochemically verified 7-day smoking abstinence, the Positive dimension of PIQ and the Cons in DBL, whereas the daily cigarettes smoked, the Pros in DBL and STP were showed more significant decrease over time in IG (P<0.05). After intervention, the communication frequency and satisfactory were also improved by smokers (P<0.01).

Conclusion: The family-assisted MI intervention is more effective in changing the smoking behaviors and increasing the communication between smokers and family, than health education.

Practical implications: Using the family-assisted smoking cessation intervention based on MI, community health service providers can influence and empower low-motivated smokers positively for quit smoking.

Keywords: Chinese smokers; Community; Health education; Motivational interviewing; Smoking cessation.