Thomas Kirchner

Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Professional overview

Dr. Thomas Kirchner is a clinical-health psychologist and methodologist interested in the analysis and graphical representation of longitudinal and geographic data, including methodologies that link individual behavior to the real-time context in which it occurs. Dr. Kirchner’s research targets momentary influences on the maintenance of health-related behavior utilizing both field-based (ecological momentary assessment) and laboratory-based paradigms. These geographic information systems and analytical methods can then inform public health, research, and policy.

As the Director and Principal Investigator of the mHealth (mobile health) Lab, Dr. Kirchner uses GIS to understand health-related behavior and decision-making in real time (e.g., how people make decisions about what they eat and drink, the places they go to exercise in their neighborhoods, the amount of time they spend outdoors, and whether they smoke cigarettes and/or marijuana).  In the Lab, students apply mHealth tools to explore geospatial systems, technology, research, and community advocacy. Students learn how to leverage the power of their cell phones to collect data about neighborhoods and experiences.

Education

MS, Clinical and Biological/Health Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

PhD, Clinical and Biological/Health Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Areas of research and study

Behavioral Determinants of Health

Geographic Information Science (GIS)

Geographically-explicit EMA

Longitudinal Data Analysis

Social Behaviors

Urban Informatics

Urban Science

Publications

Publications

Cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and sociodemographic correlates of mental health and tobacco-related disease risk in the All of Us Research Program

STROBE-GEMA: a STROBE extension for reporting of geographically explicit ecological momentary assessment studies

Documenting the Impact Potential of a Menthol Cigarette Ban at Point-of-Sale: A Photograph-Based Analysis of the Presence and Placement of Menthol Versus Regular Cigarette Packs on the Shelves of Tobacco Retail Outlets in New York City

Rapid surveillance of New York City healthcare center egress behaviors during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown

Kirchner, T., Jiang, H., Gao, H., Kabutaulaka, G., Cheong, D., Jiang, Y., Khan, A., Qiu, W., Tai, N., Truong, T., Virk, M., Gmelch, P., Carey, C., & Laefer, D. (n.d.).

Publication year

2023

Journal title

Scientific Data

Volume

10

Issue

1

10.1038/s41597-023-02692-0

Abstract

Abstract

This rapid response surveillance project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to collect “perishable” data on egress behaviors and neighborhood conditions surrounding healthcare centers (HCCs) in New York City (NYC) during the initial NYC COVID-19 PAUSE ordinance from March 22nd to May 19th, 2020. Anonymized data on NYC HCC egress behaviors were collected by observational field workers using phone-based mapping applications. Each egress trip record includes the day of week, time of day, destination category type, along with an array of behavioral outcome categories, ambient weather conditions and socio-economic factors. Egress trajectories with precise estimates of distance traveled and the spatial dispersion or “spread” around each HCC were added via post-processing. The data collection and cleaning process resulted in 5,030 individual egress records from 18 facilities over a 9-week period.

Using Smartphone Survey and GPS Data to Inform Smoking Cessation Intervention Delivery: Case Study

Analyzing Trajectories of Acute Cigarette Reduction Post-Introduction of an E-Cigarette Using Ecological Momentary Assessment Data

Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy among patients with COPD: protocol for an open-label two arm randomized controlled pilot trial

Momentary measurements and chronic conditions

PhenX: Vector measures for tobacco regulatory research

Reducing drinking among people experiencing homelessness: Protocol for the development and testing of a just-in-time adaptive intervention

Adolescent Marijuana Use, Marijuana-Related Perceptions, and Use of Other Substances Before and After Initiation of Retail Marijuana Sales in Colorado (2013–2015)

Brooks-Russell, A., Ma, M., Levinson, A. H., Kattari, L., Kirchner, T., Anderson Goodell, E. M., & Johnson, R. M. (n.d.).

Publication year

2019

Journal title

Prevention Science

Volume

20

Issue

2

Page(s)

185-193

10.1007/s11121-018-0933-2

Abstract

Abstract

Due to the recentness of changes to marijuana policies in a number of states, the effect on adolescent use and perceptions is not yet well understood. This study examines change in adolescent marijuana use and related perceptions in Colorado, before and after the implementation of legal commercial sale of recreational marijuana for adults starting on January 1, 2014. The data are from a repeated cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of Colorado high school students, with separately drawn samples surveyed in fall 2013 (prior to implementation) and fall 2015 (18 months after implementation). We examined change in the prevalence of adolescent marijuana use, measured by lifetime use, past 30-day use, frequent use, and use on school property. To consider the possibility of heterogeneity in the change in marijuana use, we examined change in past 30-day marijuana use by demographic characteristics (sex, grade, race/ethnicity), school characteristics (poverty, percent minority), urbanicity of the school district, and whether the city or county permitted retail marijuana stores. There was an absence of significant effects for change in lifetime or past 30-day marijuana use. Among those reporting past 30-day use, frequent use and use on school property declined. There was a significant decline in the perceived harm associated with marijuana use, but we did not find a significant effect for perceived wrongfulness, perceived ease of access, or perceived parental disapproval. We did not find significant variability in past 30-day use by demographic characteristics or by school and community factors from 2013 to 2015. We did not find a significant effect associated with the introduction of legal sales of recreational marijuana to adults in Colorado on adolescent (illegal) use, but ongoing monitoring is warranted, including consideration of heterogeneity in the effects of marijuana policies.

An African-specific haplotype in MRGPRX4 is associated with menthol cigarette smoking

Crowdsourcing for food purchase receipt annotation via amazon mechanical turk: A feasibility study

Ecological momentary assessment of various tobacco product use among young adults

Flavored cigar smoking among African American young adult dual users: An ecological momentary assessment

Chen-Sankey, J. C., Choi, K., Kirchner, T. R., Feldman, R. H., Butler, J., & Mead, E. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2019

Journal title

Drug and alcohol dependence

Volume

196

Page(s)

79-85

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.020

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Flavored cigar sales have increased in recent years in the U.S. African American young adults (AAYAs) have high prevalence of smoking flavored cigars and dual use with cigarettes, but the predictors of use are unclear. We examined the predictors of flavored cigar smoking among AAYA dual users. Methods: We analyzed data from an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study that captured near real-time affect, smoking cues, and tobacco smoking from eight text-messaging surveys per day over two weeks. Sixty-three AAYA (ages 18–29) dual users of cigarettes and cigars recorded 1205 cigar smoking moments. Multivariable Generalized Estimating Equations were used to assess the predictors of smoking cigars with flavors and specific flavor types. Results: Half of the participants were women (49.2%) and aged between 18–24 (46.7%). Over the two-weeks, almost all (98.4%) participants smoked flavored cigars, and 64.2% of the cigars smoked were flavored. Alcohol (34.4%) was the most frequently smoked flavor type followed by sweet (23.4%) and mint (5.7%). Feeling stressed (AOR = 1.07) and bored (AOR = 1.10) predicted smoking alcohol flavors. Blunt smoking positively predicted smoking sweet flavors (AOR = 4.79), but negatively predicted smoking alcohol flavors (AOR = 0.40). Conclusions: Smoking flavored cigars, especially alcohol-flavored cigars, was prevalent among AAYA dual users in this study. This group might use specific flavors for different purposes including smoking blunts and boosting mood. Efforts to reduce cigar use need to tackle these risk factors and the increased marketing and low-cost pricing of cigars. A federal ban of cigar flavors might reduce the appeal of cigar products.

Individual Mobility and Uncertain Geographic Context: Real-time Versus Neighborhood Approximated Exposure to Retail Tobacco Outlets Across the US

Youth Access to Tobacco Products in the United States: Findings from Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

An ecological momentary assessment of cigarette and cigar dual use among African American Young Adults

Mead, E. L., Chen, J. C., Kirchner, T. R., Butler, J., & Feldman, R. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2018

Journal title

Nicotine and Tobacco Research

Volume

20

Page(s)

S12-S21

10.1093/ntr/nty061

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction The dual use of cigarettes and cigars among African American young adults is a significant public health issue. Patterns of and reasons for dual use are difficult to capture using traditional self-report methods. This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to characterize patterns of dual smoking and examine the personal and environmental predictors of cigarette and cigar smoking among African American young adult dual users (ages 18-29) in real-time. Methods For 14 days, 64 participants smoked ad libitum and were prompted four times daily to record their smoking, craving, emotions, social smoking, and environment via text message on their mobile phones. The odds of single product and dual use were examined using adjusted generalized estimating equations. Results Participants smoked an average of 7.9 cigarettes and 4.2 cigars per day. Cigarettes and cigars were smoked as frequently during periods of dual use as they were during periods of single product use. Cigarette craving was positively associated with cigarette-only smoking (OR: 1.07), whereas cigar craving was positively associated with cigar-only smoking (OR: 1.43) and dual use (OR: 1.08). Cigars had the greatest odds of dual use when with others (OR: 4.69) and in others' homes (OR: 4.33). Cigarettes had the greatest odds of being smoked while alone (OR: 1.57). Conclusions EMA was useful for capturing variable smoking patterns and predictors. In this study population, cigarettes and cigars appeared to be smoked additively, and cigars smoked socially. These findings can inform future interventions addressing dual use in this high priority population. Implications This is the first study to use EMA to examine naturalistic patterns and predictors of multiple tobacco use in real-time. African American young adults smoked cigarettes and cigars during periods of dual use as frequently as during periods of single product use. This suggests that most use was additive (one product smoked in addition to another) and less often as substitution (one product smoked instead of another). Social smoking and craving were strongly associated with cigar smoking in single and dual use periods. This study suggests the need for cessation messaging specifically targeted to reduce dual use in this population.

Beyond blunts: reasons for cigarette and cigar use among African American young adult dual users

Mead, E. L., Lindstrom Johnson, S., Siddiqui, J., Butler, J., Kirchner, T., & Feldman, R. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

2018

Journal title

Addiction Research and Theory

Volume

26

Issue

5

Page(s)

349-360

10.1080/16066359.2017.1366456

Abstract

Abstract

Background: African American young adults are at high risk for dual use of cigarettes and cigars. Limited work has explored and characterized the reasons for use in this population and their relative importance for initiation and current smoking of these products. Method: Reasons for cigarette and cigar use were systematically explored and categorized using a mixed methods participatory approach called concept mapping. A series of in-person group sessions were held with 30 African American young adult (ages 18–29) current smokers of both cigarettes and cigars in Prince George’s County, MD and Washington, DC. Participants brainstormed, sorted, rated, and interpreted their reasons for initiation and past 30-day use of cigarettes and cigars. A cluster map was generated using multi-dimensional scaling, and t-tests were used to explore differences in ratings by background characteristics. Results: Participants generated 64 reasons for smoking cigarettes and cigars, and categorized these reasons into six groups: emotions, urges, access, product characteristics, lifestyle, and outside pressure. Emotions and urges were the most important motivations for initiation and current smoking of both products. Product characteristics were significantly more important for cigar initiation and smoking than for cigarettes, and outside pressure was more important for current smoking of cigars than cigarettes. Ratings differed by gender, socioeconomic status, and smoking characteristics. Conclusions: Cigarette and cigar smoking have several overlapping motivations, but key differences were also found, most notably for product characteristics. The FDA’s regulation of cigars and cigarettes should focus on addressing key characteristics appealing to young adults to curb dual use.

Initiation, continuation of use and cessation of alternative tobacco products among young adults: A qualitative study

Vu, M., Getachew, B., Payne, J. B., Kirchner, T. R., & Berg, C. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

2018

Journal title

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation

Volume

4

10.18332/tpc/84869

Abstract

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Diverse non-cigarette alternative tobacco products are increasingly popular in the United States. This study investigates the reasons why young adults initiate and continue the use of these products, as well as potential motivations and approaches for quitting. Products assessed include cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos (LCCs), smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, and hookahs. METHODS We conducted 60 telephone interviews, of 30-minute duration, with tobacco users enrolled in colleges in Georgia. Qualitative analysis was used to identify themes emerging from the data. RESULTS Reasons for initiation, continued use, and (potential) cessation showed similarities and differences across products. Most commonly cited reasons for initiation included: peer influence (all products), flavors/tastes (all products except cigarettes), and easy environmental access and/or low costs (LCCs, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes). Participants discussed several influences on continued use, such as peer influence (cigarettes, LCCs, and hookahs), stress management (all products except hookahs), and use with other substances (cigarettes, LCCs, and hookahs). Primary motivations for cessation mentioned by participants were family responsibilities (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and hookahs) and health concerns (all products except e-cigarettes). Frequently used cessation strategies included avoidance of other tobacco users (cigarettes, LCCs, and hookahs) and a reduction of nicotine intake (cigarettes and e-cigarettes). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that researchers should consider the differences in reasons for use and discontinued use of tobacco products in order to develop targeted messaging strategies, particularly noting the differential impact of interpersonal influences and health concerns.

Acceptability of ecological momentary assessment among young men who have sex with men

Duncan, D. T., Kapadia, F., Kirchner, T. R., Goedel, W. C., Brady, W. J., & Halkitis, P. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

2017

Journal title

Journal of LGBT Youth

Volume

14

Issue

4

Page(s)

436-444

10.1080/19361653.2017.1365038

Abstract

Abstract

The study evaluated the acceptability of text message– and voice-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods among a sample (N = 74) of young men who have sex with men (MSM). We assessed the acceptability of text message– and voice-based EMA methods. Almost all participants (96%) reported that they would be willing to accept texts on their smartphone to answer questions about their current mood, surroundings, or feelings. A large majority (89%) also reported being willing to accept phone calls to answer these questions. This work suggests that different EMA methods are acceptable for use among young MSM.

Association of TAS2R38 haplotypes and menthol cigarette preference in an African American cohort

Risso, D., Sainz, E., Gutierrez, J., Kirchner, T., Niaura, R., & Drayna, D. (n.d.). In Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

Publication year

2017

Volume

19

Issue

4

Page(s)

493-494

10.1093/ntr/ntw275

Indicators of dependence for different types of tobacco product users: Descriptive findings from Wave 1 (2013–2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study

Tobacco outlet density and converted versus native non-daily cigarette use in a national US sample

Kirchner, T. R., Anesetti-Rothermel, A., Bennett, M., Gao, H., Carlos, H., Scheuermann, T. S., Reitzel, L. R., & Ahluwalia, J. S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2017

Journal title

Tobacco control

Volume

26

Issue

1

Page(s)

85-91

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052487

Abstract

Abstract

Objective Investigate whether non-daily smokers’ (NDS) cigarette price and purchase preferences, recent cessation attempts, and current intentions to quit are associated with the density of the retail cigarette product landscape surrounding their residential address. Participants Cross-sectional assessment of N=904 converted NDS (CNDS). who previously smoked every day, and N=297 native NDS (NNDS) who only smoked non-daily, drawn from a national panel. Outcome measures Kernel density estimation was used to generate a nationwide probability surface of tobacco outlets linked to participants’ residential ZIP code. Hierarchically nested log-linear models were compared to evaluate associations between outlet density, non-daily use patterns, price sensitivity and quit intentions. Results Overall, NDS in ZIP codes with greater outlet density were less likely than NDS in ZIP codes with lower outlet density to hold 6-month quit intentions when they also reported that price affected use patterns (G2=66.1, p<0.001) and purchase locations (G2=85.2, p<0.001). CNDS were more likely than NNDS to reside in ZIP codes with higher outlet density (G2=322.0, p<0.001). Compared with CNDS in ZIP codes with lower outlet density, CNDS in high-density ZIP codes were more likely to report that price influenced the amount they smoke (G2=43.9, p<0.001), and were more likely to look for better prices (G2=59.3, p<0.001). NDS residing in high-density ZIP codes were not more likely to report that price affected their cigarette brand choice compared with those in ZIP codes with lower density. Conclusions This paper provides initial evidence that the point-of-sale cigarette environment may be differentially associated with the maintenance of CNDS versus NNDS patterns. Future research should investigate how tobacco control efforts can be optimised to both promote cessation and curb the rising tide of non-daily smoking in the USA.

A randomized trial comparing the effect of nicotine versus placebo electronic cigarettes on smoking reduction among young adult smokers