A Virtual Reality Videogame for E-cigarette Prevention in Teens

A Virtual Reality Videogame for E-cigarette Prevention in Teens

The use of the Invite Only VR, with the aim to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette use in teens by increasing their knowledge, decreasing their intentions to use e-cigarettes, influencing their harm perceptions and attitudes associated with e-cigarettes, and increasing self-efficacy associated with refusing peers involving e-cigarettes.

Specific Aim #1: DEVELOPMENT: The researcher will update our current VR prototype into a polished videogame intervention using input from 4 focus groups of 5 adolescents each (n = 20), aged 12-17 and the extant literature. These focus groups will inform the development of the VR videogame intervention, Invite Only VR, for e-cigarette prevention among teens.

Specific Aim #2: EVALUATION: Conduct a pilot non-randomized cluster trial with 295 teens ages 11-14 comparing the Invite Only VR intervention vs. an attention/control non-health-related VR videogame, collecting assessment data at baseline, post-gameplay, three months and six months to determine:

1. the preliminary impact of the intervention on e-cigarette use behaviors, knowledge, nicotine addiction knowledge, perceived addictiveness of e-cigarettes, perceived likelihood of using e-cigarettes, perceptions of harm, self-efficacy to refuse, social approval of e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette social perceptions
2. the intervention's acceptability and feasibility by collecting quantitative and qualitative data on teens' satisfaction and gameplay experience of the intervention.
3. preliminary evidence of the impact of Invite Only VR on players' perception and experience of social pressure and social norm development

Inclusion Criteria:

• Willing to wear a VR headset and play a video game for 45-60 minutes for 2-3 sessions and answer questions before and after playing the videogame.
• Be enrolled in Milford Middle School District

Exclusion Criteria:

• If subject does not fit the criteria above