Engaging smokers with schizophrenia in treatment for tobacco dependence: A brief motivational interviewing intervention

The purpose of this study was to determine how to best motivate smokers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to seek treatment for tobacco dependence. Smokers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 78) were randomly assigned to receive a Motivational Interviewing, Psychoeducational, or Minimal Control intervention. A greater proportion of participants receiving the Motivational Interviewing intervention followed through on a referral for tobacco dependence treatment within one-week and one-month post-intervention. Mixed model Analyses of Variance found no differences between groups at one-week or at one-month with respect to tobacco use or motivation to quit. Within group analyses indicated that participants in the Motivational Interviewing and Psychoeducational groups reported significant decreases in cigarettes smoked per day. Only participants in the Motivational Interviewing group showed significant increases in confidence in their ability to quit smoking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)