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Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 16 weeks

16 Participants Needed

Positive Psychology for Smoking Addiction

Overseen ByJoelle C Ferron, PhD, MSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Must be taking: NRT

Disqualifiers: Legal guardian, Substance use disorder

No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Positive Psychology for smoking addiction?

Research shows that Positive Psychology can help people quit smoking by increasing positive feelings and reducing negative ones. In a study, about 31.6% of participants who used Positive Psychology interventions stayed smoke-free for six months. Additionally, having a positive outlook is linked to less craving and a higher chance of quitting smoking.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

Is Positive Psychology safe for use in humans?

The studies on Positive Psychology for smoking cessation suggest it is generally safe, as participants reported high satisfaction and no adverse effects were mentioned. It focuses on increasing positive feelings and reducing negative ones, which are typically safe approaches.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

How does Positive Psychology treatment differ from other smoking cessation treatments?

Positive Psychology treatment for smoking cessation is unique because it focuses on increasing positive emotions and reducing negative emotions, which are key factors in preventing smoking relapse. Unlike traditional methods that may focus on reducing cravings or withdrawal symptoms, this approach aims to enhance overall well-being and happiness, which can support long-term abstinence from smoking.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will examine how Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) may help people interested in quitting smoking, quit.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults over 21 who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day, have a serious mental illness diagnosis, want to quit smoking within the next month, and are willing to use nicotine replacement therapy daily. They should not be dealing with other substance use disorders or have a legal guardian.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 21, have a serious mental illness, don't use substances, smoke 10+ cigarettes a day, want to quit soon, and can use nicotine replacement therapy.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a 16-week Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) program for smoking cessation, including individual and group sessions focusing on identifying and utilizing signature strengths.

16 weeks

4 individual sessions, followed by weekly group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for smoking abstinence and cessation strategies through qualitative interviews and assessments.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

Positive Psychology

Trial Overview The study is testing Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) as an approach to help smokers quit. It involves individual and group treatments designed to increase positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Positive Recovery Smoking Cessation (Individual and Group)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

The "Positive Recovery for Smoking" program is a 16-week treatment that focuses on the use of identifying signature character strengths and identifying, creating, and enjoying positive life events to facilitate recovery from smoking addiction. The first 4 individual sessions will focus on a self-evaluation of strengths and a focus on the individuals top 5 "signature strengths". The participants will then learn about how their signature strengths currently help them function and when and how they can use these strengths to recover from smoking. The group sessions will begin at 5 weeks (following 4 individual sessions) - sessions are structured to begin with a check-in where patients identify their most used signature strengths and take inventory of their smoking and cessation efforts from the past week. We will then support participants in their efforts to learn new ways to navigate positive recovery.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

548

Recruited

2,545,000+

Findings from Research

A Positive Psychotherapy for Smoking Cessation (PPT-S) intervention, which combines standard smoking cessation counseling with positive psychology techniques, was well-received by 19 smokers, showing high attendance and satisfaction rates.

Approximately 31.6% of participants maintained smoking abstinence for 6 months after quitting, suggesting that integrating positive psychology may enhance the effectiveness of traditional smoking cessation methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive Psychotherapy for Smoking Cessation: Treatment Development, Feasibility and Preliminary Results.Kahler, CW., Spillane, NS., Day, A., et al.[2021]

Research indicates that individuals who have quit smoking report higher levels of happiness and emotional awareness compared to current smokers and those who have never smoked.

This suggests that promoting positive emotional factors may play a crucial role in supporting healthy behaviors, such as quitting smoking.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Smoking from the perspective of positive psychology].Mojs, E., Stanisławska-Kubiak, M., Skommer, M., et al.[2010]

A randomized controlled trial involving 340 adult daily smokers will test whether a smoking cessation treatment that incorporates positive psychology can lead to higher cessation rates compared to standard behavioral counseling.

Participants will receive weekly counseling for 6 weeks, along with nicotine patches and text messaging support, with outcomes measured at 12, 26, and 52 weeks to assess the effectiveness of the positive psychology approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive psychotherapy for smoking cessation enhanced with text messaging: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Kahler, CW., Surace, A., Gordon, REF., et al.[2020]