Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Self-Change: Focus Groups for Instrument Development

ObjectivesStudies examining perceptions of ‘modified risk tobacco product’ (MRTP) messages for e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco have indicated consumers want statistics and quantification of harm reduction. However, limited research exists on reactions to quantitative MRTP messages.DesignWe conducted 12 focus groups in the USA in 2019—6 focused on e-cigarette messages and 6 on snus messages. Eight groups were with current smokers (ages 21–66) and four with young adult (ages 18–25) non-smokers (n=57). Participants discussed messages stating that use of snus and vaping products have been estimated by scientists to be about 90% and 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes, respectively.ResultsSeveral participants agreed the messages strongly communicated that the products are less harmful than cigarettes, were attention getting and could be ‘convincing’. However, participants expressed scepticism about the source and accuracy of the stated figures, and some noted the claims could be misleading and attractive to young people. Comments also reflected some claim misunderstandings (eg, that e-cigarettes only pose a 5% chance of harm). Participants also agreed that stating e-cigarette risks ‘are unlikely to exceed 5% of cigarette smoking harms’ was confusing and less impactful than the ‘95% less harmful’ wording.ConclusionsQuantitative claims suggesting high levels of reduced risk when comparing e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco/snus relative to cigarettes may be successful in gaining attention and being persuasive for some audiences, particularly, if from more credible sources. However, message developers, users and evaluators should be mindful of message limitations and aim to mitigate unintended consequences.

Download Full-text

Using Focus Groups for Instrument Development

Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly ◽

10.1300/j052v22n04_02 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 13-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Cynthia A. Padula ◽

Susan Rossi ◽

Claudio Nigg ◽

Faith Lees ◽

Nancy Fey-Yensan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Instrument Development

Download Full-text

Using Focus Groups in Preliminary Instrument Development: Expected and Unexpected Lessons Learned

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2010.1368 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Slyvia Nassar-McMillan ◽

Mary Wyer ◽

Maria Oliver-Hoyo ◽

Amy Ryder-Burge

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Instrument Development ◽

Clinical Case ◽

Contextual Information ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Item Generation ◽

Occupational Stereotyping ◽

Group Data ◽

Focus Group Data

Focus groups can be utilized effectively across various stages of instrument development. This article details selected aspects of a process in which they were employed at the initial stages of item generation and refinement in a study of occupational stereotyping. The process yielded rich contextual information about the worldview and corresponding terminology of participants. In addition, the use of a tool developed and previously employed as an approach to clinical case notes (i.e., SOAP notes), produced surprising benefits in documenting the focus group data. The purpose of this paper is to describe this process and highlight the insights that emerged. The process and outcomes have methodological implications for qualitative researchers conducting focus groups as well as for those developing new surveys, scales, and measurements.

Download Full-text

E-Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: Why do Users Continue with E-Cigarettes?

Asian Social Science ◽

10.5539/ass.v14n12p156 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 156

Author(s):

A.L.S. Foong ◽

M.Y.Y. Lai

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Choice Theory ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Psychosocial Needs ◽

Kuala Lumpur ◽

Convenience Sample

The advent of e-cigarettes (vaping) well over a decade ago, was welcomed as a tool to aid cigarette smoking cessation. Whilst it has served its aims for many, there remains several who switched to vaping but did not cease cigarette smoking. They also continued with vaping behaviours. The aim of this study is to identify and gain a better understanding of why their vaping behaviours continue. With that in mind, a qualitative study with focus groups was undertaken. A purposive convenience sample of 17 participants who are patrons of 3 vaping centres in the city of Kuala Lumpur were recruited. Four focus groups were formed from the sample of 17 participants. Data derived from the focus groups identified seven themes which emerged as motivating factors for continued vaping behaviours. They comprised of social acceptance; attraction to flavours; a sense of accomplishment; financial savings; convenience compared to smoking; perceived low health risk; and behavioural substitution. Findings suggest that vaping behaviours could be conceptualised by Choice Theory based on psychosocial needs of survival, achievement, love and belonging, freedom and fun. They highlight the role of psychosocial factors that could be considered of importance in informing policy and practices for smoking cessation programmes and activities.

Download Full-text

Technology-enhanced focus groups as a component of instrument development

Nurse Researcher ◽

10.7748/nr.2017.e1458 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 16-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tania D Strout ◽

Rachel L DiFazio ◽

Judith A Vessey

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Instrument Development

Download Full-text

Using Focus Groups and Rasch Item Response Theory to Improve Instrument Development

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000015596437 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 146-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Brent Mallinckrodt ◽

Joseph R. Miles ◽

Daniela A. Recabarren

Keyword(s):

Item Response Theory ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Item Response ◽

Instrument Development ◽

Response Theory

Download Full-text

Abstract P087: Use of Tobacco Products Among LGBTQ: Results From 2016 Surveys & Focus Groups

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.135.suppl_1.p087 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Aida L Giachello ◽

Thanh-Huyen Vu ◽

Thomas J Payne ◽

Rose M Robertson ◽

Carlos Rodriguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Life Time ◽

Depth Information ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Current Cigarette Smoking ◽

Social Stressors ◽

And Bisexual

Background: Cigarette smoking has been reported to be high among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer (LGBTQ) populations. However, in-depth information on perception, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, is limited. Methods: We analyzed 2016 data from the AHA-Tobacco Regulatory Addiction Center (A-TRAC) study on multi-ethnic LGBTQ groups living primarily in Chicago and New York City, ages 18-64, smokers and non-smokers. Twenty-nine focus groups and 99 individual surveys were conducted to obtain socio-demographic-economic characteristic and in-depth information on tobacco use, including cigarette smoking. Atlas.ti and SAS 9.4 were used for data analyses. Results: Of 99 participants, 58.8% of LGBTQ individuals reported smoking 100+ cigarettes during their life time; 49.5% (n=49) reported current cigarette smoking; and 17% reported frequent or occasional use of e-cigarette, e-hookah and/or other types of vaping. Age (25+) and low household income (<$20,000) were significantly associated with the use of cigarette smoking. While 70.2% stated that cigarette smoking is very dangerous to health and 43.2% of respondents said that tobacco use is a very serious problem in the LGBTQ community, current smokers were unlikely to quit smoking (67%). Focus group discussions revealed that smoking a cigarette is a form of stress relief, a way of “expressing yourself”, and a way of “fitting in”. Heavy marketing by the tobacco industry as well as stress associated with social discrimination, family and friend rejections and limited income, were also factors identified with tobacco use. These findings were particularly true among transgender women and bisexual men and women. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking was high among the LGBTQ individuals in our sample and they seems unlikely to quit. Social stressors appear to be a strong contributing factor. Educational efforts and culturally appropriate messages to this population, are critical.

Download Full-text

Handlungsleitende Orientierungen frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte in der Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern

Frühe Bildung ◽

10.1026/2191-9186/a000296 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 10-15

Author(s):

Beate Vomhof

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Sich Eine

Zusammenfassung. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern wird in Bildungsplänen und Kompetenzbeschreibungen als professionelle Aufgabe frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte definiert. Um einen Paradigmenwechsel anzuzeigen, verwenden zahlreiche Autoren inzwischen nicht mehr den Begriff Elternarbeit, sondern sprechen von Bildungs- und Erziehungspartnerschaft. Doch wird die Kooperation tatsächlich partnerschaftlich umgesetzt? Um der Forschungsfrage nachzugehen, welche handlungsleitenden Orientierungen frühpädagogische Fachkräfte in der Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern im Kontext kompensatorischer Sprachfördermaßnahmen haben, werden neun Fälle (die aus sechs Interviews und zwei Focus Groups generiert wurden) anhand der Dokumentarischen Methode interpretiert. Es zeigt sich, dass die Förderkräfte auf der Ebene der Einstellung die normativen Setzungen um Partnerschaftlichkeit teilen. Die Rekonstruktion der impliziten Wissensbestände offenbart jedoch, dass die Kooperation hierarchisch und teilweise als Machtbeziehung konstruiert wird. Es lässt sich eine grundlegende Diskrepanz zwischen den expliziten und den impliziten Orientierungen rekonstruieren, die sich als Differenz zwischen Norm und Habitus zeigt.

Download Full-text

Cigarette smoking under stress: The role of coping expectancies among smokers in a clinic-based smoking cessation program.

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/0278-6133.12.6.443 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 443-450 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

William G. Shadel ◽

Robin J. Mermelstein

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Smoking Cessation Program

Download Full-text