STANDARDIZED, INDIVIDUALIZED, INTERACTIVE, AND PERSONALIZED SELF-HELPPROGRAMS FOR SMOKING CESSATION

Smokers (N = 756) were randomly assigned by stage of change to (a) sta ndardized self-help manuals (ALA+ condition), (b) individualized manua ls matched to stage (TTT condition). (c) interactive expert-system com puter reports plus individualized manuals (ITT condition). or (d) a pe rsonalized condition with 4 counselor calls. stage manuals, and comput er reports (PITT condition). Over 18 months. the ITT group's results m ore than doubled those of the ALA+ group on abstinence measures. The A LA+ and TTT conditions were equivalent over 12 months, but at 18 month s the TTT condition was more effective. The ITT condition was the best or comparable with the best treatment at all follow-ups for smokers a t all stages of change. Results suggest that an effective expert syste m has been developed, and discussion focuses on delivering this system to entire populations of smokers.