Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116291

Andrea L. Paiva, MA¹, Carol O. Cummins, MLIS, MEd², Kerry E. Evers, PhD¹, and Janice M. Prochaska, PhD². (1) Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc., PO Box 755, W. Kingston, RI 02992, 401-874-9066, apaiva@prochange.com, (2) Pro-Change Behavior Systems, PO Box 755, West Kingston, RI 02892

Cigarette smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and disability in the US and therefore is a behavior of critical pubic health significance. Because tobacco cessation is difficult to achieve, public health efforts have accentuated the importance of preventing the onset of use, in addition to encouraging tobacco-users to quit. Five hundred sixty-one high school students(mean age= 16)completed a paper and pencil survey, which included Transtheoretical Model and behavioral measures of tobacco use (cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco). Measures of the Pros and Cons of being tobacco-free, Temptations to use tobacco and the Processes of Change were developed for users and non-users independently. Stage of change for stopping tobacco use was assessed by a single question. The distribution was 25.6% Precontemplation,18.7% Contemplation,13.7% Preparation,12.2% Action, and 29.8% Maintenance. Students who had never tried tobacco were classified into one of four prevention profiles using their scores on the Pros, Cons and Temptations measures. Distribution among the four profiles was 61.5% Most Protected,5.6% Most Negative,13.1% Most Tempted,and 19.7% Least Positive. External validity of the measures was assessed by examining TTM constructs across the stages and profiles. Temptations and Pros differed across the stages, with Precontemplators reporting more Temptations and fewer Pros than those in later stages. Students in the Most Protected profile reported the most Processes of Change use, while students in the Least Positive profile reported using the Processes of Change the least(all p<.05). These findings underscore the importance of providing stage-matched and profile-matched interventions for tobacco cessation and prevention.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

(
• Describe the development of valid measures of Stage of Change, Decisional Balance, Temptations, and Processes of Change for tobacco prevention and cessation for high school students; (
• Discuss the association between Stage of Change, Profiles of Prevention and other Transtheoretical Model constructs in relation to intervention development; (
• Recognize the importance of providing stage-matched and profile-matched interventions for tobacco cessation and prevention.

Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc..