| Abstract: | 139 smokers (mean age 40.6 yrs) were randomly assigned either to (a) a traditional treatment program that used contingency contracting and emphasized the necessity for absolute abstinence (AA) or (b) a relapse-prevention (RP) treatment that focused on gradual acquisition of nonsmoking skills. It was hypothesized that the RP treatment would be less successful initially but would result in better maintenance skills and show a lesser relapse rate during a 1-yr follow-up. Each program was evaluated in 2 formats: group-based treatment and self-help materials. Results indicate comparable 1-yr abstinence rates for all treatments, although more Ss dropped out of the self-help formats. Ss in the RP intervention were more likely to lapse sooner after quitting and were more likely to quit again during the 1-yr maintenance period. Women were more successful in the RP program, and men had greater success with the AA approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
