2 APPROACHES TO SOCIAL SUPPORT IN SMOKING CESSATION - COMMODITY MODELAND NONDIRECTIVE SUPPORT

The commodity model of social support and features of Nondirective Sup port may clarify varied results of support interventions for smoking c essation. A commodity model views social support as attractive in and of itself and as an alternative to high-risk choices such as smoking. If such support is easily accessible, a would-be quitter is less likel y to choose to smoke. Consistent with the commodity model, social supp ort interventions tend to be effective as long as support remains avai lable, but they lose their effects when support is terminated. From a second approach, Nondirective Support entails accepting recipients' go als, cooperating without taking control, and validating recipients' fe elings. In contrast, Directive Support entails taking control and tell ing recipients what to do and feel. Review of support interventions in dicates the value of the continued availability of support suggested b y the commodity model and of Nondirective Support's flexibility and re sponsiveness to the person. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.