Hoeppner BB, Hoeppner SS, Kelly L, Schick M, Kelly JF. (2017). Smiling Instead of Smoking: Development of a positive psychology smoking cessation smartphone app for non-daily smokers. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 24(5): 683-693. doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9640-9
Based on past experience with college students who smoked daily and a presentation on an in-person positive psychology intervention for smoking cessation, researchers developed “Smiling Instead of Smoking” (SIS), a positive psychology smoking cessation mobile application (app) for non-daily smokers. In the first three steps of development, researchers conducted literature reviews, consulted with other researchers and non-daily smokers, and analyzed existing smoking-cessation apps to investigate: (1) how non-daily smokers might benefit from a positive psychology smoking cessation intervention, (2) suitability of smartphones for such an intervention, and (3) gaps in current smoking cessation apps. Results indicated that non-daily smokers are highly motivated to quit, mobile delivery of a positive psychology smoking cessation intervention is feasible and could address previous issues with treatment adherence, and non-daily smokers would most benefit from an app that adheres to clinical practice guidelines and assists users with specific triggers and seeking social support. These results informed the fourth step: development of SIS. The final app included: behavioral coaching tailored to the user’s quit date; tools addressing triggering situations, users’ concerns about smoking, counterproductive thoughts, motivation, and social support; positive psychology exercises; and cigarette tracking. Researchers plan to disseminate SIS through the Google Play app store and evaluate SIS in pilot tests and randomized trials using a data collection tool incorporated into SIS.