Experiences of Ex-Smokers Serving as Peer Supporters in an Instant Messaging-Based Smoking Cessation Program: A Qualitative Study.
Objectives: To explore the experiences of ex-smokers acting as peer supporters delivering chat-based instant messaging smoking cessation support in a post- randomized controlled trial qualitative study. Methods: We used purposive sampling to recruit 21 ex-smokers, who had previously provided chat-ba...
| Publicado en: | Nursing Reports Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 170 - 184 |
|---|---|
| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
MDPI
May2026
|
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194118498&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 194118498 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 2039439X EGNT jtl: Nursing Reports issn: 2039439X maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: May2026 vid: 16 iid: 5 pid: 97109 pub: MDPI artinfo: ui: 194118498 194118498 194118498 10.3390/nursrep16050170 194118498 ppf: 170 ppct: 14 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Experiences of Ex-Smokers Serving as Peer Supporters in an Instant Messaging-Based Smoking Cessation Program: A Qualitative Study. aug: au: Guo, Ziqiu Luk, Tzu Tsun Weng, Xue Lee, Jung Jae Wu, Yongda Zhao, Shengzhi Cheung, Derek Yee Tak Lai, Agnes Yuen Kwan Tong, Henry Sau Chai Lai, Vienna Wai Yin Lam, Tai Hing Wang, Man Ping affil: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China sug: subj: Ex-Smokers Psychosocial Factors Smoking Cessation Peer Group Support, Psychosocial Instant Messaging Human Interview Guides Qualitative Studies Health Promotion Behavior Therapy Internet-Based Intervention Semi-Structured Interview Motivation Life Style Changes Telehealth Uncertainty Funding Source Hong Kong Male Female Purposive Sample Exploratory Research Thematic Analysis Data Analysis Software Male Female ab: Objectives: To explore the experiences of ex-smokers acting as peer supporters delivering chat-based instant messaging smoking cessation support in a post- randomized controlled trial qualitative study. Methods: We used purposive sampling to recruit 21 ex-smokers, who had previously provided chat-based instant messaging behavioral support to smokers in Hong Kong. Individual online semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework. Results: Five themes were identified: stepping into the supporter role as ex-smokers, contributions beyond facilitating smoking cessation, mutual benefits as ex-smoking peer supporters, challenges in providing support, and the potential of mobile health-based peer support. Participants identified experiential sharing as a key mechanism for engaging motivated smokers, although its impact was limited by low user responsiveness. They described extending their support beyond smoking cessation (e.g., stress relief and healthier lifestyles), and reported mutual benefits, such as enhanced happiness, a positive attitude, and prevention of smoking relapse. Nevertheless, participants' ability to effectively support smoking was challenged by limited interaction in the mHealth setting, difficulties offering timely responses, and uncertainty about how to handle complex personal situations. They suggested that future mobile health peer support can consider involving famous people as peer supporters, using personalized messaging, and adding incentives in the program to increase smokers' motivation. Conclusions: Ex-smoking peer support in mHealth settings appears feasible and mutually beneficial, but its effectiveness may be constrained by low engagement and unclear role expectations. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
|---|