A qualitative study of the feasibility and acceptability of a smoking cessation program for people living with HIV and emotional dysregulation

ABSTRACTDespite high rates of co-occurring tobacco use and anxiety among persons living with HIV, evidence-based interventions for these individuals are limited. An existing cognitive–behavioral treatment protocol for smoking cessation and anxiety (Norton, P. J., & Barrera, T. L. (2012). Transdiagnostic versus diagnosis-specific CBT for anxiety disorders: A preliminary randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Depression and Anxiety, 29(10), 874–882. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.21974) was modified to address transdiagnostic constructs, such as anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and depressive symptomatology (Labbe, A. K., Wilner, J. G., Kosiba, J. D., Gonzalez, A., Smits, J. A., Zvolensky, M. J., … O’Cleirigh, C. (2017). Demonstration of an Integrated Treatment for Smoking Cessation and Anxiety Symptoms in People with HIV: A Clinical Case Study. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(2), 200–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2016.03.009). This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of t...