The Predictive Survey
The solution we have developed to reduce the percentage of adolescents that experiment with smoking is screen for risk factors that contribute to the initiation of smoking. In Western countries, the prevalence of regular smoking for 13 year olds varies from 3.5% to 12.5% and increases to 17% to 24.5% for 15 year olds, thus the prevalence of smoking increases (Harakeh, 2004). We have designed a predictive survey for patients to assess risk factors that may lead adolescents' to experiment with smoking that is guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (THB). Post Survey we can initiate cognitive behavioral counseling early with regular scheduled appointments, integrating education in the schools that have high incidences of smoking in their students, and suggest at home modifications with families to reinforce therapy. The TPB helps to understand the variables that are at the root of possible behavioral modifications. The TPB postulates that smoking-related cognitions (attitude, self-efficacy, and social norm) predict intention to start smoking, and intention in its turn predict actual smoking onset.
Early adolescents showed that intention to smoke was the most powerful predictor in explaining adolescents’ future smoking behavior. A positive attitude toward smoking or adolescents’ perception of the social influence to smoke predicted an increased risk for adolescents to smoke (Harakeh, 2004). Among the smoking-related cognitions, self-efficacy was the best predictor of adolescents’ smoking behavior with a high self-efficacy being negatively related to adolescents’ smoking behavior (Harakeh, 2004).
The solution we have developed to reduce the percentage of adolescents that experiment with smoking is screen for risk factors that contribute to the initiation of smoking. In Western countries, the prevalence of regular smoking for 13 year olds varies from 3.5% to 12.5% and increases to 17% to 24.5% for 15 year olds, thus the prevalence of smoking increases (Harakeh, 2004). We have designed a predictive survey for patients to assess risk factors that may lead adolescents' to experiment with smoking that is guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (THB). Post Survey we can initiate cognitive behavioral counseling early with regular scheduled appointments, integrating education in the schools that have high incidences of smoking in their students, and suggest at home modifications with families to reinforce therapy. The TPB helps to understand the variables that are at the root of possible behavioral modifications. The TPB postulates that smoking-related cognitions (attitude, self-efficacy, and social norm) predict intention to start smoking, and intention in its turn predict actual smoking onset.
Early adolescents showed that intention to smoke was the most powerful predictor in explaining adolescents’ future smoking behavior. A positive attitude toward smoking or adolescents’ perception of the social influence to smoke predicted an increased risk for adolescents to smoke (Harakeh, 2004). Among the smoking-related cognitions, self-efficacy was the best predictor of adolescents’ smoking behavior with a high self-efficacy being negatively related to adolescents’ smoking behavior (Harakeh, 2004).
The Survey
It is relevant to focus attention on the evaluating risk factors for smoking onset in youth, because experimenting with smoking by adolescents is not without risk. The physiological dependence on nicotine makes it very hard for the youth to quit and as a consequence they are more likely to develop a regular smoking pattern. Turning our attention to PREVENTION rather than quitting is an important aspect of our predictive risk factor tool. Noting who is at greatest risk for smoking with our tool developed with TPB core component in mind we can find out what areas the adolescent needs the greatest support. The strongest predictor of smoking using the TPB core constructs is self-efficacy. The second step will be to structure our cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) post risk evaluation tailored to concepts where the adolescent is weakest and always incorporating techniques to refuse cigarettes. Cognitive behavior therapy approaches in youth were are the most promising interventions for prevention and cessation (Cavallo, 2013). As for long term support, CBT addresses potential factors in smoking relapse, such as stress management in youth, weight gain with hormonal changes, and attitude toward smoking. CBT serves to augment maintenance of smoking abstinence in adolescence (Cavallo, 2013). The confident the adolescent is in their ability to say no and believe in themselves, the more likely they are to remain abstinent (Cote, 2004). The highest indicator of smoking in youth is their self-efficacy (Cote, 2004). CBT can be helpful in building deficient skills as part of smoking cessation treatment (Cavallo, 2013). As for longitudinal support, the adolescent will be given the appropriate skills to maintain smoking abstinence, but incorporating family education and secondary education is vital.
Please click on the link below for access to the survey.
It is relevant to focus attention on the evaluating risk factors for smoking onset in youth, because experimenting with smoking by adolescents is not without risk. The physiological dependence on nicotine makes it very hard for the youth to quit and as a consequence they are more likely to develop a regular smoking pattern. Turning our attention to PREVENTION rather than quitting is an important aspect of our predictive risk factor tool. Noting who is at greatest risk for smoking with our tool developed with TPB core component in mind we can find out what areas the adolescent needs the greatest support. The strongest predictor of smoking using the TPB core constructs is self-efficacy. The second step will be to structure our cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) post risk evaluation tailored to concepts where the adolescent is weakest and always incorporating techniques to refuse cigarettes. Cognitive behavior therapy approaches in youth were are the most promising interventions for prevention and cessation (Cavallo, 2013). As for long term support, CBT addresses potential factors in smoking relapse, such as stress management in youth, weight gain with hormonal changes, and attitude toward smoking. CBT serves to augment maintenance of smoking abstinence in adolescence (Cavallo, 2013). The confident the adolescent is in their ability to say no and believe in themselves, the more likely they are to remain abstinent (Cote, 2004). The highest indicator of smoking in youth is their self-efficacy (Cote, 2004). CBT can be helpful in building deficient skills as part of smoking cessation treatment (Cavallo, 2013). As for longitudinal support, the adolescent will be given the appropriate skills to maintain smoking abstinence, but incorporating family education and secondary education is vital.
Please click on the link below for access to the survey.
cigarette_smoking_risk_survey_tpb.pdf | |
File Size: | 55 kb |
File Type: |
Steps for Implementation
1) Administer the predictive survey to identify an individuals attitude toward smoking, self-efficacy, and their perception of smoking in society.
2) High Risk adolescents' will begin a cognitive behavior therapy to build skills to refuse offers for smoking cigarettes, build confident in themselves.
3) Institute a community prevention program that will reinforce learned behaviors from therapy, by starting school programs and family involvement programs.
4) Monitor adolescent throughout this high risk period for additional support and to check on quality of given education to have the most successful outcomes for the individual.
1) Administer the predictive survey to identify an individuals attitude toward smoking, self-efficacy, and their perception of smoking in society.
2) High Risk adolescents' will begin a cognitive behavior therapy to build skills to refuse offers for smoking cigarettes, build confident in themselves.
3) Institute a community prevention program that will reinforce learned behaviors from therapy, by starting school programs and family involvement programs.
4) Monitor adolescent throughout this high risk period for additional support and to check on quality of given education to have the most successful outcomes for the individual.
Results
When evaluating the survey results finding what areas the adolescent is most vulnerable then providing behavioral therapy and educational guides about cigarettes that are age appropriate and strengthen their weaknesses will yield better health decisions by individuals and outcomes. The most effective programs that have reduced smoking have targeted high-risk adolescents with selective interventions, uses interventions for skills training among families that were based on behavior change theory, stress active parental involvement and parenting skills and developed social competencies and self-regulation among youth, combine skills training among youth with homework that are done with the parent, and conduct checks on the implementation (CDC, 2012).
When evaluating the survey results finding what areas the adolescent is most vulnerable then providing behavioral therapy and educational guides about cigarettes that are age appropriate and strengthen their weaknesses will yield better health decisions by individuals and outcomes. The most effective programs that have reduced smoking have targeted high-risk adolescents with selective interventions, uses interventions for skills training among families that were based on behavior change theory, stress active parental involvement and parenting skills and developed social competencies and self-regulation among youth, combine skills training among youth with homework that are done with the parent, and conduct checks on the implementation (CDC, 2012).