BRIEF MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING IN A HOSPITAL SETTING FOR ADOLESCENT SMOKING - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

This study tested the feasibility and efficacy of a brief smoking inte rvention for adolescents in a hospital setting. Forty adolescent patie nts were randomized to receive either brief advice or a motivational i nterview, a nonconfrontational therapeutic intervention. Feasibility o f brief smoking interventions with teen patients was supported by high rates of recruitment, retention, and quit attempts, and long periods of continuous abstinence. Although between-groups differences on smoki ng measures were not significant at 3-month follow-up, an effect size of h = .28 was noted. The sample showed significant decreases in smoki ng dependence and number of days smoked. Baseline stage of change, smo king rate, and depression were significant prospective predictors of s moking outcome. Implications for smoking intervention research with ad olescents are discussed.