Pilot study protocol to increase resistance to peer pressure in tobacco use among nursing students (T-RESIST)

Background: In Mexico, tobacco use represents one of the leading threats to public health, being associated with thousands of preventable deaths and diseases. Social factors, such as peer pressure, play a significant role in the initiation of tobacco use among young people, who seek acceptance and identity. Although intervention studies exist, few address peer pressure comprehensively and from a theoretical framework. Therefore, a psychoeducational intervention is proposed for university students, with the aim of assessing its acceptability and feasibility, as well as exploring changes in self-esteem, emotional dependence, and social skills. Its contribution lies in providing preliminary evidence for future large-scale clinical trials. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, single-arm pilot. Nursing students from a faculty in Veracruz will participate, with a recruitment target of 30 students aged 18 years or older. The group intervention consists of four 50-minute sessions, in addition to pre- and post-test evaluations, addressing peer pressure, self-esteem, social skills, and emotional dependence. Discussion: Tobacco use among young people is a multifactorial problem in which peer pressure constitutes a central factor. The proposed psychoeducational intervention seeks to strengthen resistance, promote self-esteem, enhance social skills, and address emotional dependence. Its implementation entails practical challenges, including student participation, retention, logistical organization, and resource availability. This study will allow for the evaluation of the intervention’s acceptability and feasibility, generating preliminary evidence for future trials. The findings will contribute to the design of evidence-based preventive strategies relevant to the university setting and adolescent public health. Trial registration UMIN000059102.