Measuring Communal Coping in Dual-smoking Couples Making a Quit Attempt

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Smoking (Tobacco) Addiction, Smoking ( Cigarette), Tobacco, Tobacco Abstinence, Quitting Smoking, Smoking Cessation

In brief

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and quitting is especially difficult for couples who both smoke. When both partners smoke, they are less likely to quit successfully and more likely to relapse compared to people whose partner does not smoke. Research suggests that the way romantic partners interact and support each other during a quit attempt can make a real difference - but researchers do not yet know enough about what kinds of support actually help. This study examines a concept called "communal coping," which refers to when partners treat a shared health challenge - like quitting smoking - as something they are facing together as a team rather than as separate individuals. Researchers believe that couples who approach quitting this way may have better outcomes. To study this, researchers will ask both members of dual-smoking couples to complete brief daily surveys over two weeks while making a quit attempt. These surveys will track how partners support (or discourage) each other's quitting efforts on a day-to-day basis, along with cigarette use, cravings, and stress. This will help researchers understand which relationship patterns are most helpful for quitting, and identify specific targets for future couples-based smoking cessation programs.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07553962

Run by

University of Colorado, Denver

People needed

250

Starts

2025-03-20

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Are over the age of 18
• Smoke cigarettes on a daily basis
• Smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day on average
• Are in a committed relationship with an individual who smokes at least 5 cigarettes per day on average and is willing to participate in the study
• Are willing to make a smoking cessation attempt at the time of enrollment into the study (applies to only one partner).

Where it is running

• University of Colorado Denver — Denver, Colorado, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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