Social support in smoking cessation: In search of effective interventions

The results of five recent smoking cessation studies from three separate research programs are summarized. Each study compared a basic cognitive-behavioral cessation program to the same program plus a component designed to enhance social support. Four of the studies found process or correlational data linking social support to outcomes. Nevertheless, there were no significant between-groups smoking-outcome differences in any of the five studies. Several explanations for these findings are considered and it is concluded that social support deserves further consideration in interventions for smoking reduction. Suggestions for future research are offered.