 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Craig S. Fryer, MPH, Madhuvanti Mahadeo, MPH, and Greg Falkin, PhD. NDRI, 71 West 23rd Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10010, (646) 418.0804, fryer06@aol.com
Research thus far has not assessed the tobacco cessation process among teenagers from their perspective. The field of tobacco research needs this information in order to design and tailor effective interventions for this population. In contrast to the main thrust of tobacco research and policy that is aimed at understanding and preventing the onset of smoking among teenagers, the focus of this study is to better understand the process young people experience as they attempt to quit cigarette smoking. Data were obtained from six focus groups and forty-six individual interviews with 16–18 year old, high school students from New York City. Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methods and Atlas.ti, a qualitative software package. Findings include: (1) the factors that teenagers say influence their decision to quit smoking; (2) how teenagers define quitting and success at quitting, (3) the factors that make it more difficult/easier for them to quit, and (4) the strategies utilized to succeed in overcoming obstacles to stop smoking. The presentation will discuss various themes in each of these areas, illustrating them with statements made by the teenagers. The study ultimately intends to (a) help researchers and practitioners gain more insight into the quitting process experienced by teenagers, and (b) develop and design effective cessation interventions grounded in the empirical reality of youth.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.