A qualitative study of user experience with a text messaging program for smoking cessation (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) strategies for smoking cessation (e.g., text-messaging-based interventions) have been shown to be effective in helping smokers quit. However, further research is needed to better understand user experiences with these platforms. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study explored the experiences of real-world users of a publicly available smoking cessation program (SmokefreeTXT). METHODS Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 36 SmokefreeTXT users, between March and July 2014. Questions focused on participants’ perceptions about program structure, content, and reasons for opting out of SmokefreeTXT. A thematic content analysis was conducted, with a focus on themes to increase program engagement and optimization. RESULTS The findings highlighted features of the program that participants found beneficial, as well as some elements that show opportunities for improvement to boost program retention and successful cessation. We also found that program completion does not necessarily indicate successful smoking cessation and that program opt-out, which may be interpreted as a less positive outcome, may occur because of successful cessation. Finally, several participants reported using SmokefreeTXT together with other evidence-based cessation methods, and/or with non-evidence-based strategies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the importance of allowing customization of text message frequency within cessation text programs, the limitations of measuring cessation “success” through program opt-out versus retention, and the importance of recommending evidence-based cessation resources (including live support for participants that prefer human interaction during the cessation process) to be used with smoking cessation text programs.

Factors Affecting the Takers of the Qualifying Examinations as Part of the Accountancy Program Retention Policy: The Case of a University in Central Luzon Philippines

This research was carried out to assess the qualifying examinations being administered by a school’s department for a of university in Central Luzon, Philippines for the Incoming Second Year, Third Year and Fifth Year BS Accountancy Students. Using the physical and administrative factors are from Aiken et al. (2008), and the Psychological Testing and Assessment, and University of Waterloo’s Center for Excellence (2016), when Preparing Tests and Exams are the guidelines for qualitative factors of exams revealed that the quality of exams had the lowest mean rating compared to physical environment and administrative responsibilities as the factors when assessing the qualifying examinations. The participants were two hundred ninety four (294) students who took the qualifying examinations. The analysis of variance findings confirmed that there is a significant difference on the assessment of the qualifying exams if grouped according to incoming year level and status. The return of the two strike policy to replace the one strike policy, is the most preferred recommendation by the examinees followed by the special remediation program for deserving ‘late bloomer’ students and the special review classes in preparation of the examination.

Diversion Programs for Individuals Who Use Substances: A Review of the Literature

Diversion programs connect individuals to treatment instead of criminal sanctions and are used more frequently to address substance use. This systematic scoping review included 31 published empirical studies to examine evaluations of diversion programs that address substance use and misuse. We assessed the program characteristics and implementation settings, as well as the outcomes measured and study methods used. We identified five prevalent study outcomes categories: (a) Service utilization (program retention and completion), (b) Recidivism/criminality, (c) Substance use, (d) Psychosocial functioning, and (e) Other outcomes (e.g., trauma, quality of life, and housing). Findings demonstrated limited but promising evidence for improvements in recidivism, substance use, and psychosocial outcomes. The limited evidence may be partly due to heterogeneity in diversion program implementation, study designs used, and differences among subpopulations. Most studies examined postbooking diversion programs; therefore, further examination of alternative approaches such as prebooking diversion programs is needed to fully understand diversion program impacts.

Communication as a Retention Factor in Online Course Delivery

Online courses have become an integrated aspect of course delivery for institutions of higher education. However, the attrition that occurs in online courses is substantially higher than in face-to-face courses. This chapter considers the influence of student communication factors in both course and degree program retention. An argument is presented related to the role of being intentional in planning and implementing communication strategies within courses and degree programs as a conduit for positively influencing completion. A second argument is that while all college/university personnel have a role in student attention, the role of faculty is significant and requires on-going professional development.

Understanding Who Stays in a STEM Scholar Program for Underrepresented Students: High-Achieving Scholars and Short-Term Program Retention

This study highlights program retention among Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students in a STEM Intervention Program (SIP) aimed at increasing the representation of underrepresented students in STEM fields. We applied London et al.’s STEM Engagement Framework to determine factors that distinguish who stays in a SIP and who leaves within the first two years of the program. Our sample was comprised of 129 high-achieving students enrolled in a multicomponent program at a large, research-intensive university in the mid-Atlantic. Our results suggest that identifying as a woman or gender non-conforming scholar, having a strong scientific identity, or reporting lower depressive symptoms, increase the likelihood of remaining in the SIP.

Exploring Black Girls’ Recommendations for Healthy Lifestyle Interventions to Address Obesity

Objective This mixed-methods study investigated Black girls’ (N = 15) definitions of health and reports on socio-ecological factors that influenced health attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Participants were surveyed about their emotional health, body image, experiences of discrimination, and eating patterns. Methods Directed content analysis was used to identify themes, categories, and capture the depth of information conveyed. The study also used the Nominal Group Technique to elicit recommendations about intervention content, structure, and facilitation of a healthy lifestyle program targeting Black girls. Participants represented various ethnic backgrounds, ranged in age from 14 to 17 years (M = 16), and were in the ninth and 10th grades. Participants also represented a specific sample of Black adolescent girls who are medically categorized as obese. Results Findings indicated that Black girls use an intersectional (race–gender) lens to frame their definitions of health and inform health-related behaviors. Recommendations for obesity interventions targeting Black girls include leveraging time during school to deliver services, intentional selection of program facilitators to include race–gender similarities, and professionals trained to work with adolescents. Additionally, considerations for provider–patient interactions include the use of nonstigmatizing language and direct communication. Conclusion Findings serve to address the paucity of culturally responsive interventions targeting Black girls’ health. Implications include enhancement of program retention and sustained engagement to facilitate effective treatment outcomes and address the disparity in the prevalence of obesity. In doing so, there is a potential to reduce health disparities associated with increased weight as Black girls’ transition into adulthood.