• International Development Grant
• Senior Student Presenter Grant
• Innovative Student Research Grant
• Innovative Student Research Grant in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant
• Public Awareness Grant
• Microcredentials Grant

University of Florida

Project Title: Vaping as Operant Behavior: The Role of Alternative Reinforcers

Alexandra (Lexi) Knerr is a doctoral student at the University of Florida under the advisement of Dr. Jesse Dallery. She earned her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science from Rollins College in 2020. Lexi is primarily interested in applying behavior analytic principles to health behaviors such as substance use, physical activity, or the behavioral effects of pharmacological substances.

For her dissertation, Lexi has focused on the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly referred to as vaping, among young adults. ENDS use is rapidly growing in this population even though it may have detrimental health effects and lead to nicotine addiction. Little is known about how alternative sources of reinforcement may increase or decrease vaping. This question may help elucidate when and why vaping occurs, with potential implications for treatment and public policy.

Lexi’s dissertation project will employ two separate approaches to investigate the role of alternative reinforcement in vaping behavior. The first study will use hypothetical purchase tasks to assess the relationship between ENDS use and social media use. This study aims to identify whether these function as complements, substitutes, or independent commodities. This will add to the growing body of literature on the use of hypothetical purchase tasks to identify potential alternative reinforcers for substance use.

The second study will employ contingency management (CM) as a treatment for vaping cessation. This incentive-based approach delivers alternative reinforcers contingent on biochemically verified substance abstinence. Beyond vaping reduction, the study aims to develop individualized CM treatment protocols to increase the effectiveness, acceptability, and economic viability of the intervention. Tailored intervention components will include the quit date, incentive, method of incentive verification, handling of incentives that are not earned, and format and frequency of meetings. Differing from prior research, participants will provide and deliver their own incentives, with guidance and supervision. This study may demonstrate methods of developing individualized CM treatment for vaping cessation including alternative reinforcers that are feasible within the confines of clinical practice.

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