Assessing reinforcing versus aversive consequences in a real-time secondhand smoke intervention

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Few studies compare reinforcing versus aversive behavioral interventions in real-world settings.
• Real-time sensing technology offers new possibilities for studying behavior change interventions.
• Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure remains a significant public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a real-time, operant theory-based intervention to reduce SHS exposure.
• To compare the efficacy of aversive-only versus aversive-plus-reinforcement contingency systems.

Main Methods:

• 253 smokers' households were monitored with indoor air particle monitors for three months.
• Participants were assigned to a control group, an aversive-only (AO) group, or an aversive-plus-reinforcement (AP) group.
• Intervention groups received audio/visual consequences for elevated particle measurements (AO) or added reinforcement for absence of SHS (AP).

Main Results:

• All study groups showed significant differences in particle counts, time above 15,000 counts, and particle events post-intervention.
• The aversive feedback system significantly reduced SHS exposure compared to controls.
• No significant differences in effectiveness were found between the aversive-only and aversive-plus-reinforcement groups.

Conclusions:

• Real-time aversive feedback is effective in reducing SHS exposure in home environments.
• Adding reinforcement contingencies to an aversive system does not enhance SHS reduction.
• Real-time sensing technology provides a valuable platform for investigating behavioral interventions in complex environments.