Sustained smoking abstinence is associated with reductions in smoking-specific experiential avoidance among treatment-seeking smokers

Abstract

Background and Objectives Smoking-specific experiential avoidance is related to the maintenance of cigarette smoking. However, it is unclear whether sustained smoking abstinence is associated with subsequent reductions in smoking-specific experiential avoidance. Methods Daily smokers (n = 149) underwent a cessation attempt in the context of a 4-session smoking cessation treatment trial. Participants provided biochemical verification of smoking status at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 Month post-quit day. Smoking-specific experiential avoidance was assessed per the Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale (AIS) – the total score and two factor scores were examined at 1 Month post-quit day as a function of abstinence status. Two path models were conducted and included participant sex, treatment condition, and precessation nicotine dependence, smoking-specific experiential avoidance, and presence of emotional disorders as covariates. Results After adjusting for covariates, sustained smoking abstinence was associated with a reduction in the AIS total score at Month 1 post-quit (β = −.45, p < .001). Sustained smoking abstinence was associated with reductions across both facets of experiential avoidance -- smoking-related thoughts and feelings (β = −.44, p < .001) and internal bodily sensations (β = −.41, p < .001). Limitations Biochemical verification of smoking status was confirmed only at three time points post-quit day, and continued abstinence throughout the one-month post-quitting period is not fully known. Conclusions Sustained smoking abstinence may contribute to reductions in smoking-specific experiential avoidance. Findings contribute to the research documenting the relevance of experiential avoidance in various processes of smoking (including smoking abstinence).

A randomized controlled trial of distress tolerance treatment for smoking cessation.

“…Previous studies have found that ACT-based treatment resulted in greater decreases in smoking-specific experiential avoidance (AIS) that mediated the effects of the treatment on smoking outcome (Bricker et al, 2013; Gifford et al, 2004, 2011). Other research has shown that smoking abstinence elicits reductions in smoking-specific experiential avoidance (Farris et al, 2016). In the current study, participants in the ST condition had significantly greater increases in a measure of rumination and avoidance (BADS-AR) compared to those in the DT treatment, but no differences in changes in AIS or other process measures were observed across treatments.…”

The relevance of experiential avoidance in breast cancer distress: insights from a psychological group intervention

“…Accordingly, experiential avoidance has been implicated in the aetiology and maintenance of diverse forms of psychopathology, including anxiety‐related disorders , post‐traumatic stress disorder , depression , and substance‐related disorders . Experiential avoidance has also been linked to several health problems; it has, for example, been implicated in the maintenance of cigarette smoking ; it has been found to mediate the relationship between bowel disease symptomatology and QoL , and to function as a moderator between breast cancer anxiety and mammography use .…”

Current Status and Future Trends of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Smoking Cessation: A Narrative Review with Specific Attention to Technology-Based Interventions

“… 33 , 34 Furthermore, the experiential avoidance specific to smoking is linked with more significant negative effects, desires, and nicotine withdrawal when beginning the therapy for quitting smoking. 35 Moreover, in experiences of internal disturbances (negative affect and withdrawal symptoms) while trying to quit, smokers that are highly avoid due to experience are more probable to have reducing their smoking rates, even after the therapy for quitting smoking, compared to smokers having fewer amounts of EA. 36 Results showed that EA was negatively associated with internal discomfortness on smoking cessation.…”

“…Even though there was no contrast between the two groups after the therapy, the results showed that the participants in the ACT group reached better results in smoking rates out of doing it in an abiding manner after one year. 7 , 34 , 35 …”