A Brief Intervention on E-Cigarette, Regular Cigarette, and Marijuana Use Results in Generalization Effects: Lateral Attitude Change among College Students

Abstract

Objective

We hypothesized (1) perceived harm beliefs and intention to use e-cigarette attitudes will become more negative post-exposure to the intervention (2) this change will generalize to more negative beliefs and intention toward regular cigarettes and marijuana.

Methods

MANOVAs of students’ perceptions of harm beliefs and intention toward the use of e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, and marijuana were performed to ascertain change in harm beliefs before (t₁) to after the intervention (t₂) for 188 nonwhite Hispanic and White college students who viewed educational material (informational text + video), the intervention, during an online experimental survey.

Results

The first MANOVA yielded main effect with significant differences for substances, Wilks’ Lambda (Λ) = 0.254, F = 234.920 (2, 160), p < 0.001, η_p² =0.746 and by time (Λ = 0.740, F = 56.684 (1, 161), p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.260). E-cigarettes, regular cigarettes, and marijuana were perceived more harmful for one’s health and for the health of others at t₂.

The MANOVA on peer influence and intention to use (Λ = 0.277, F = 222.890 (2, 171), p < 0.001), η_p² = 0.723) and by time (Λ = 0.922, F = 14.514 (1, 172), p < 0.001), η_p² = 0.078) was significant. Respondents were less likely to use any of the substances if their best friend offered at t_2. Intent for future use was also reduced at t₂.

Conclusion

A brief intervention potentiated favorable change in harm beliefs and intention to focal object (e-cigarettes) and lateral objects (regular cigarettes and marijuana).

Keywords:

• Lateral attitude change
• brief intervention
• e-cigarette
• regular cigarette
• marijuana
• harm beliefs
• behavioral intention

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes

1 Death statistics on cigarette use were taken from Centers for Disease Prevention and Control website as of February 2020; this intervention was deployed April 2020.