Testing a Self-affirmation Intervention for Use in a Mobile Application
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Smoking Cessation, Smoking Cessation |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - 65 |
| Updated: | 5/23/2018 |
| Start Date: | January 16, 2018 |
| End Date: | September 2018 |
The aim of these studies is to adapt the self-affirmation kindness questionnaire for use in a
mobile application. Two studies will be conducted to test hypotheses that simplifying and
shortening the original questionnaire in systematic ways will result in comparable
effectiveness (compared to the original version) in promoting reduced defensive avoidance,
less reactance, greater yielding, and higher intentions to quit smoking among a sample of
smokers.
mobile application. Two studies will be conducted to test hypotheses that simplifying and
shortening the original questionnaire in systematic ways will result in comparable
effectiveness (compared to the original version) in promoting reduced defensive avoidance,
less reactance, greater yielding, and higher intentions to quit smoking among a sample of
smokers.
Research has shown that self-affirmation interventions, in which people are instructed to
focus on their strengths and values, can offset self-threats and promote healthier behaviors,
such as smoking cessation. A commonly used self-affirmation intervention is known as the
"kindness quiz." The original kindness questionnaire (Reed & Aspinwall, 1998) consists of 10
yes/no questions, and participants are asked to think about and write down an example of
each. For example, one item is "Have you ever been considerate of another person's feelings?
____ YES ____NO; IF YES, WRITE ABOUT A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE." The items were written so that all
participants should be able to say "yes" in response to each question, which will affirm a
positive view of themselves.
The purpose of these studies are to test shorter and simpler versions of this kindness
questionnaire so that it can be implemented on mobile phones. In Study 1, we will test
whether written examples are necessary for the effectiveness of the self-affirmation
intervention (compared to no examples or imagined examples) compared to a control. In Study
2, we will again test whether written examples are necessary, as well as whether shorter
questionnaires (i.e., 5 items or 3 items) are as effective as the original 10 item
questionnaire.
focus on their strengths and values, can offset self-threats and promote healthier behaviors,
such as smoking cessation. A commonly used self-affirmation intervention is known as the
"kindness quiz." The original kindness questionnaire (Reed & Aspinwall, 1998) consists of 10
yes/no questions, and participants are asked to think about and write down an example of
each. For example, one item is "Have you ever been considerate of another person's feelings?
____ YES ____NO; IF YES, WRITE ABOUT A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE." The items were written so that all
participants should be able to say "yes" in response to each question, which will affirm a
positive view of themselves.
The purpose of these studies are to test shorter and simpler versions of this kindness
questionnaire so that it can be implemented on mobile phones. In Study 1, we will test
whether written examples are necessary for the effectiveness of the self-affirmation
intervention (compared to no examples or imagined examples) compared to a control. In Study
2, we will again test whether written examples are necessary, as well as whether shorter
questionnaires (i.e., 5 items or 3 items) are as effective as the original 10 item
questionnaire.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Currently live in the US
- 21-65 years (several states have 21 as minimum legal age to smoke)
- self-identified every day or some day smoker
- no prior diagnosis of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema
(the most common and well-known smoking-related diseases
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not currently living in the US
- Less than 21 years of age or older than 65
- Nonsmoker
- Prior diagnosis of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema
(the most common and well-known smoking-related diseases
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