Table 2 Characteristics of both behavioural support formats offered
Characteristic | Group therapy | Telephone counselling |
|---|---|---|
Number of sessions | 9 standard weekly sessions, sometimes supplemented by +/- 2 extra sessions, in this disadvantaged area, on open topics chosen by the group, such as stress management. | 7 standard sessions over the course of 3–4 months, with up to 5 extra sessions if the participant has relapsed or has not stopped after the first session. |
Number of participants | 8 – 12 | 1 |
Session duration | 1.5 – 2 hours | Session 1: 30 minutes |
Subsequent sessions: 15 minutes. | ||
Timing of official stop date | Session 4 | Between Sessions 1 and 2. |
Languages available | Dutch and Turkish | Dutch and Turkish |
Gender of group participants | Offered in mixed groups (in Dutch) or all male and all female groups (in Dutch & Turkish). | N/A |
Permitted to keep participating if not stopped on official stop date | Yes | Yes |
Content of sessions | The course increases motivation and teaches self-control techniques using learning methods such as group discussion, working in pairs, role play, individual and group exercises, visualisation, and homework exercises. | 1. The participant’s motivation is increased using motivational interviewing and they are prepared for the first few days after stopping. |
Topics include: | 2. Withdrawal symptoms. | |
- Self observation, | 3. Desire to smoke. | |
- Analysis of tempting situations, | 4. tempting situations. | |
- Decreasing nicotine use, | 5. Topic of choice (including stress, weight gain, gloom, boredom or loneliness.) | |
- Motivation, | 6. Prevention of relapse. | |
- Behavioural rules, | 7. Follow – up (after 3 months). | |
- Suddenly stopping, | Sessions 2 – 7 all include some time spent on maintaining motivation. [25] | |
- Changing smoking behaviour, | ||
- Rewarding yourself, | ||
- Coping with desire to smoke, | ||
- Cognitive restructuring, | ||
- Coping with social pressure, | ||
- Relapse prevention after a slip. [24] |