Mediation of Project EX-1 Program Effects
Project EX-1 aimed, in part, to enhance students' motivation to quit the use of tobacco. A subsequent secondary analysis study attempted to ascertain whether or not the program did, indeed, manipulate motivation, and whether motivation mediated program effects. A total of 168 student tobacco users from the EX-1 trial were surveyed at all three time points, which provided the sample on which to engage in a mediation study. Also, measures were developed to tap mediation effects. Motivation to quit was measured with 16 four-point items. An eight-item energy index (Cronbach coefficient alpha = .71) measured areas such as, "I feel a lot of pressure from my friends and family to quit my tobacco use," and "How much energy do you have to quit tobacco now and/or stay stopped?" An eight-item direction index (Cronbach coefficient alpha = .81) included items such as, "How much direction do you feel you are receiving to quit tobacco now and/or stay stopped?," and "Quitting tobacco use improves one's mood." Item responses ranged from either "a. A lot" to "d. None" or "a. Strongly agree" to "d. Strongly disagree.