Biomedical
Institution: rnfinity
Email: info@rnfinity.com
Lucy Walker,
Lucy Walker
Institution: Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University,
Email: lucy.walker@mmu.ac.uk
Sarah Grogan,
Sarah Grogan
Institution: Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University,
Email: s.grogan@mmu.ac.uk
Keira Sholtens,
Keira Sholtens
Institution: entre for Health Psychology, The Science Centre, Staffordshire University,
Email: lucy.walker@mmu.ac.uk
Andrew Denovan,
Brian Mcmillan,
Brian Mcmillan
Institution: Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester,
Christopher Armitage,
Christopher Armitage
Institution: Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Aca- demic Health Science Centre, NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Rese
Mark Conner,
Tracy Epton,
Tracy Epton
Institution: Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, University of Manchester,
Email: travy.epton@manchester.ac.uk
Maria Cordero
Maria Cordero
Institution: Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University,
Email: m.cordero@mmu.ac.uk
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Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100021
2022-03-08Objectives Appearance-related interventions to promote healthy behaviour have been found effective to communicate health risks. The current study aimed to explore women smokers' experiences of age-progression software showing the effects of smoking on the face. Methods A qualitative design was implemented, utilizing both individual interviews and focus groups within a critical realist framework. Fifteen, 19–52 year-old women smokers were administered an age-progression intervention. All participants responded to the intervention, engaged in semi-structured interviews, and were invited back to attend one of three focus groups. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Four main themes were identified: Health versus Appearance, Shock Reaction, Perceived Susceptibility, and Intention to Quit. Participants found the intervention useful, voicing need for a comprehensive approach that includes both appearance and health. Despite increases in appearance-based apps which could diminish impact, women's accounts of shock induced by the aged smoking-morphed images were similar to previous work conducted more than ten years previously. Conclusions The study provides novel insights in how women smokers currently perceive, and react to, an age-progression intervention for smoking cessation. Innovation Findings emphasise the implementation of this intervention type accompanied by health information in a range of patient settings.