Testing Financial Incentive Interventions in Dyadic-Smoker Couples

The proposed study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of FITs in dual-smoker couples [DSCs]. The core design is a three-group mixed repeated measures design, in which participants are randomized into one of three conditions (control [CTL], dyadic target [DT] FIT or single target [ST] FIT) and tracked across 3 months. The FIT involves monetary incentives for online psychoeducation completion and smoking abstinence at follow-up.

The proposed study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of FITs in dual-smoker couples [DSCs]. The core design is a three-group mixed repeated measures design, in which participants are randomized into one of three conditions (control [CTL], dyadic target [DT] FIT or single target [ST] FIT) and tracked across 3 months. During this time, participants will complete a baseline session and a follow-up. Between these visits, all participants will have access to a voluntary brief cessation program (i.e., online psychoeducation created for this study using Beat the Pack materials and resources from NCI, NIH + Nicotine Replacement Therapy [NRT]). The FIT involves monetary incentives for online psychoeducation completion and smoking abstinence at follow-up. In the ST condition, one member of each couple (i.e., the target) will receive monetary incentives; in the DT condition, both members of the couple will receive monetary incentives. This design allows for preliminary consideration of FITs in DSCs and tests whether FITs for both members of the dyad synergistically enhances outcomes.

Financial incentives may be offered to participants based on their behavioral outcomes (smoking cessation and participation in online psychoeducation about smoking)

Percentage of participants who have quit smoking by the follow-up study cessation verified biochemically

Feasibility of Financial Incentives Treatment in Dyadic-smoker couples as assessed by number of dyads retained in study

Number of people who contact the study team; number of complete dyads prescreened; percentage of eligible dyads enrolled; percentage of enrolled dyads retained through follow-up; percentage enrolled participants who drop out due to study procedures/burden; subjective ratings of benefits and costs of participating in study

Inclusion Criteria: both members: age of 18+ smoke 5+ combustible cigarettes/day may not have participated in pilot study Exclusion Criteria: < 8th grade capacity to read/write in English hospitalization in recent 6 months current drug or alcohol use disorder psychotic symptoms medical exclusion for use of NRT