Development and initial testing of the brief adolescent smoking curiosity scale (ASCOS)

Development and Validation of the Curiosity of Climate Changes Scale

Introduction

As it is stated by researchers from multiple scientific fields, climate change has real consequences both for the natural environment but also for the human beings, but not everyone is interested in fighting the global warming and its implications. Yet, there are people who are curious about climate change and became invested in the cause of fighting it. Taking this into account, the aim of this study was to create a questionnaire that would enable to measure curiosity about climate change and as such be an useful tool in research regarding this matter.

Methods

After examination of existing literature and the evaluation of competent judges, we created a questionnaire which structure and reliability was determined in conducted studies. We also investigated possible correlations between introduced in this paper the Curiosity of Climate Changes Scale (CCCS) and other diagnostic tools: The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory II, The Need for Cognitive Closure Scale, The Elements of Nature Curiosity Scale, The Climate Anxiety Scale, The Environmental Identity Scale and The Generational Time Perspective Scale.

Results

The results of the factor analyses verified a one-factor structure. The CCCS showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95). The validity of the CCCS was indicated by correlations with different scales. The CCCS correlates with general curiosity, curiosity of elements of nature, need for cognitive closure, environmental identity, climate anxiety and generational time perspective.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the Curiosity of Climate Changes Scale is a valid and reliable tool. The Curiosity of Climate Changes Scale can be used in future research but also has its practical use - for teachers and environmental educators who thanks to the CCCS can obtain information regarding one's interest in climate change, which can be used in educational programs.

The reliability and validity of the Temptations to Try Smoking Scale in a group of Chinese adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To provide a scientifc tool, the Temptations to Try Smoking Scale (TTSS) is introduced to evaluate its reliability and validity in preventing and intervening Chinese adolescents from smoking temptations.

METHODS

A questionnaire, including the TTSS, the Chinese version of the Decisional Balance Scale (CDBS), the Adolescent Smoking Curiosity Scale (ASCOS), and the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS), is used to test 1195 Chinese adolescent volunteers (214 of them are retested after 1 month). If all six items in the TTSS are retained, the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) reveals that the TTSS exhibits a structure of two factors: positive social and curiosity/stress.

RESULTS

The confrmatory factor analysis (CFA) shows that the two-factor model of the TTSS has the ftting indices χ2/df = 2.35, RMSEA = 0.06, and CFI = 0.99, which are better than those of its single-factor model. The total scores of the TTSS, positive social, and curiosity/stress are positively correlated with the scores of Pros, ASCOS, TAS, and Dis of SSS but negatively correlated with the Cons, hereby exhibiting good criterion-related validity. The internal consistency coefcient of the TTSS is 0.89, and the retest reliability is 0.90.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, the TTSS has good reliability and validity for Chinese adolescents and can be used as an efective tool to evaluate adolescents' smoking temptations in China.

Susceptibility to smoking and determinants among never-smoking high school students in Thailand

INTRODUCTION

To prevent youth from becoming smokers, it is essential to understand factors contributing to them becoming susceptible to smoking. The aim of this study was thus to estimate the prevalence of smoking susceptibility among neversmoking youth in Thailand and to identify determinants associated with such behavior.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data for 4572 eighth-grade students (aged 13-15 years) from 120 secondary schools were obtained from a classroom-based survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Using data from never-smoking students (n=3180), simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with smoking susceptibility. Frequencies and proportions for descriptive statistics are reported along with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 16.4% of Thai never-smoking youth were susceptible to smoking. Several variables of interest were identified in multivariable analysis as significantly associated with increased susceptibility to smoking: being male (AOR=3.16; 95% CI: 25.4-3.92), having a positive attitude toward smoking - agreeing that smoking displays maturity (AOR=1.49; 95% CI: 1.07-2.09), the perception that smoking helps relieve stress (AOR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.14-2.15), the presence of current smoking peers (AOR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.57-2.66), exposure to secondhand smoking in public (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.17-1.94), exposure to online cigarette and smoking-related advertising occasionally (AOR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.49-2.65), attendance at schools where there are sometimes anti-smoking education activities (AOR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.18-2.07); as well as exposure to anti-tobacco messages rarely (AOR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.05-1.87), occasionally (AOR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.12-1.96) and infrequently (AOR=1.41; 95% CI : 1.07-1.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one in six Thai never-smoking youth was found to be susceptible to smoking. Findings suggest it should be useful to supplement relevant tobacco prevention and control efforts by considering such interpersonal and socio-environmental determinants, among vulnerable people to smoke.

Dimensions, Measures, and Contexts in Psychological Investigations of Curiosity: A Scoping Review

The study of curiosity as a construct has led to many conceptualisations, comprising of different dimensions. Due to this, various scales of curiosity have also been developed. Moreover, some researchers have conceived of curiosity as a general trait-like, while others have included contexts, such as the workplace, or education when investigating curiosity. This scoping review aims to scope the extant psychological literature on curiosity in order to better understand how it has been studied, specifically with regard to its dimensions, measures, and contexts. A total of 1194 records were identified, with 245 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results suggest that the majority of curiosity research examined curiosity as having multiple dimensions and analysed the dimensions individually, with a deprivation-type curiosity playing the biggest role. The measure most commonly used was the Epistemic Curiosity Scale, which also consisted of a deprivation-type curiosity as one of the dimensions. Findings also implied that curiosity was most studied in the context of the workplace. Supplementary findings included a lack of representation of non-Western countries, as well as needing to cross-validate a recently developed curiosity scale. This scoping review represents a consolidation of the curiosity literature and how it can further prosper.

Evaluation and Impact of ASPIRE: An Interactive Tobacco Prevention Curriculum among University Students in India

Online education approach provides innovative opportunities for engaging youths. Web-based, multimedia smoking prevention programs have been tested in high-income countries; however, efficacy of such programs is not well-investigated in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience (ASPIRE), an interactive tobacco prevention curriculum, among university students in India.

A single-subject cohort study where each subject serves as their own control was conducted among university student participants engaged in ASPIRE, 60 minutes per week for five consecutive weeks during July to August of 2019. Assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately after exposure to ASPIRE. To evaluate the program, a structured instrument was specifically designed to measure the outcomes.

A total of 103 university students participated voluntarily. Average age of the participants was 18.3±0.9 ranging from 17 to 20 years. Eighteen percent of students were curious to know about the various smoking products. More males were more susceptible to cigarette smoking as compared to females. The majority of participants felt that ASPIRE was culturally appropriate for young adults in India, but a modified version targeted toward Indian youth would be more acceptable. Pre- to postintervention knowledge of tobacco-related hazards increased from 70 to 97% ( p < 0.001).

ASPIRE, a multimedia interactive program, demonstrated its considerable potential to discourage smoking initiation among Indian youth.

Factors associated with smoking susceptibility among high school students in western Spain

The Expanded Susceptibility to Smoking Index (ESSI) is based on the combination of susceptibility to smoking and curiosity about smoking. The ESSI can identify young people who are at risk of starting to smoke cigarettes and related products. The objective of this study was to analyse the ESSI results and to examine factors associated with ESSI scores in students between 12 and 16 years of age. Sociodemographic, social/environmental and personal variables were analysed, and the ESSI value was determined for non-smoking students recruited from three schools in western Spain. Regression models were used to examine the factors associated with smoking for the entire sample and the factors associated with ESSI scores in the non-smoking population. Of the 377 participants who were analysed, 20.4% were smokers. Among the non-smokers, 53.5% and 55.3% presented medium-high ESSI scores for cigarettes and e-cigarettes, respectively, and 39.8% presented medium-high ESSI scores for hookah use. A higher ESSI score was associated with greater exposure to people smoking in the home, having more friends who smoke, alcohol consumption, and a higher impulsivity scale score. These findings reinforce the importance of reducing peer pressure and suggest the important role of resolve under conditions of positive affect on reducing impulsivity. Approaches based on self-efficacy could be addressed in preventive programmes developed in educational settings.

Ecological momentary assessment of various tobacco product use among young adults

INTRODUCTION

Young adults are at high risk for using traditional and novel tobacco products. However, little is known about daily/weekly use patterns or psychosocial triggers for using various tobacco products.

METHODS

This ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study examined timing, tobacco cravings, affect, social context, and other substance use (alcohol, marijuana) in relation to use of cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and any tobacco product (i.e., cigarettes, ENDS, cigars, hookah), respectively. We also examined interactions between these predictors, sex, and race/ethnicity. From a longitudinal study of 3418 18-25 year-olds from seven Georgia colleges/universities, we recruited 72 reporting current tobacco use to participate in the 21-day EMA study; 43 participated, of which 31 completed ≥66% assessments and were analyzed. Cravings, affect, social context, and substance use were assessed daily across four four-hour windows.

RESULTS

Of the 31 participants, average age was 21.10 years (SD = 1.95), 45.2% were female, and 71.0% non-Hispanic White; 71.0% used cigarettes, 58.1% ENDS, 38.7% cigars, and 25.8% hookah (25.6% used one product, 46.5% two, 27.9% ≥ three). Predictors of cigarette use included higher anxiety, greater odds of marijuana and alcohol use, and higher boredom levels among women. Predictors of ENDS use included being non-White and greater odds of marijuana use, as well as higher tobacco cravings among women and higher boredom among men. Predictors of any tobacco product use included being non-White, higher boredom levels, and greater odds of marijuana and alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct interventions may be needed to address use of differing tobacco products among young adults.