Text Messaging to Enhance Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment: Program Development Through Qualitative Research
Claire Adams Spears, Sharrill A Bell, Charlayne A. Scarlett, Natalie K. Anderson, Cherell Cottrell-Daniels, Sadaf Lotfalian, Maitreyi Bandlamudi, Amanda Grant, Anna Sigurdardottir, Brittani P Carter, Lorien C. Abroms, David W. Wetter
JMIR mHealth and uHealth October 18, 2018 DOI: 10.2196/11246 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Predominantly low socioeconomic status African American adult smokers |
| Duration | 1-week version of the SMS text messaging program (Study 2) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 25 |
| Key findings | Participants in focus groups recommended that the text-message program be personalized and interactive, offer coping strategies for cravings and lapses, use short messages, and include pictures. In a 1-week trial, participants were highly engaged and found the program useful, and the authors conclude that SMS text messaging appears to be a feasible, appealing way to provide in-the-moment support and encourage mindfulness among low-income African American smokers. |
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness-based programs show promise for promoting smoking cessation in diverse populations. Mobile health strategies could increase treatment engagement and in-the-moment support, thus enhancing the effects of mindfulness-based smoking cessation interventions. However, most mobile health programs have been developed without sufficient input from the target population.
Objective: By eliciting input from the target population, predominantly low socioeconomic status (SES) African American adult smokers, throughout the development of an SMS (short message service) text messaging program that teaches mindfulness for smoking cessation, we aimed for the resulting program to be optimally effective and consistent with participants' needs and preferences.
Methods: Two qualitative studies (N=25) were conducted with predominantly low SES, African American adult smokers. In Study 1 (initial qualitative input; n=15), participants engaged in focus groups to provide suggestions for program development. In Study 2 (abbreviated trial; n=10), participants received a 1-week version of the SMS text messaging program and provided feedback through in-depth interviews.
Results: In Study 1, participants suggested that the SMS text messaging program should be personalized and interactive (ie, involve two-way messaging); provide strategies for coping with cravings and recovering from smoking lapses; involve relatively short, to-the-point messages; and include pictures. In Study 2, participants were highly engaged with the texts, indicated that the program was useful, and provided additional suggestions for improvement.
Conclusions: Eliciting feedback from the target population throughout the intervention development process allowed for iterative revisions to increase feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. Overall, SMS text messaging appears to be a feasible, appealing way to provide in-the-moment personalized support and encourage mindfulness among low-income African American smokers.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Adapting Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Black American Communities: A Scoping Review Mindfulness August 1, 2023
- Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Delivered Through Telehealth and Text Messaging for Low-Income Smokers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Research Protocols August 1, 2022
- Development and usability testing of a mindfulness-based smoking cessation app for adults with low income: "It's helped me to not react and grab a cigarette". Journal of Health Psychology June 26, 2026
- Using Digital Technology to Increase Integration of Meditation into Daily Life: The Case for Meditation-Based Ecological Momentary Interventions. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science November 19, 2025
- Mindfulness and Mobile Health for Quitting Smoking: A Qualitative Study Among Predominantly African American Adults with Low Socioeconomic Status. American Journal of Qualitative Research 2022
Cites 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- A pilot study on mindfulness based stress reduction for smokers BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine January 25, 2007
- Perceptions of Mindfulness in a Low-Income, Primarily African American Treatment-Seeking Sample Mindfulness December 1, 2017
- Efficacy of mindfulness-based addiction treatment (MBAT) for smoking cessation and lapse recovery: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology September 1, 2016
- Mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for depressed disadvantaged women in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice August 13, 2016
and 4 more in the library