Interpretation bias modification for hostility to facilitate smoking cessation in a sample with elevated trait anger:...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Problematic anger is associated with negative smoking outcomes like dependence, heavy use, and failed cessation attempts.
• Interventions targeting anger may enhance smoking cessation success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an interpretation bias modification for hostility (IBM-H) intervention in facilitating smoking cessation among daily smokers with high trait anger.
• To assess the impact of IBM-H on anger, hostility, and smoking behaviors.

Main Methods:

• 100 daily smokers with elevated anger were randomized into either an eight-session computerized IBM-H or a health and relaxation video control condition (HRVC).
• Participants attempted to quit smoking mid-treatment.
• Assessments of hostility, anger, and smoking were conducted pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at a three-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• IBM-H significantly reduced hostile interpretation bias compared to HRVC at post-treatment and follow-up.
• IBM-H led to significant reductions in hostility at post-treatment and trait anger at three-month follow-up.
• While both groups reduced smoking, there was no significant difference in quit success rates between the IBM-H and HRVC conditions.

Conclusions:

• IBM-H effectively reduced hostile interpretation bias, hostility, and trait anger in smokers.
• The intervention did not significantly improve smoking cessation rates in this study.
• Further research is needed to explore anger management strategies for enhancing smoking cessation outcomes.