Do social support interventions ("buddy systems") aid smoking cessation? Areview

Objective-To provide an overview of the role of social support in smoking c essation and to critically review evidence regarding the use of "buddy syst ems" (where smokers are specifically provided with someone to support them) to aid smoking cessation. Data sources-Studies were located by searching Medline and Psyclit using th e key words "smoking", "smoking cessation", "social support", and "buddy" A dditional studies were identified through reference lists. Only studies rep orted in English and published since 1980 were included. Study selection-Studies were selected on four criteria: publication in a pe er reviewed journal; randomised controlled trial using smokers who wanted t o stop; the use of a social support intervention, including a "buddy"; depe ndent variable of smoking abstinence. Most research in this area does not u se a randomised design so only a small proportion of the originally identif ied studies were included. Data synthesis-In view of the diverse nature of the studies, a meta-analysi s was not attempted. Ten studies were identified: nine were clinic based sm oking trials, eight used a group format, and nine used buddies from among s mokers' existing relationships. Support training varied from role play and rehearsal to a simple instruction to call each other regularly. Interventio n and follow up periods varied between studies. Two studies showed a signif icant benefit of the intervention in the short term. Conclusions-Research methodology in many cases was poor. The evidence would suggest that in the context of a smokers clinic the use of buddies may be of some benefit. There is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of the use of buddies in community interventions. This is an important area for fu ture research.