Smoking behavior: a cross-sectional study to assess the dimensionality of the brief Wisconsin inventory of smoking dependence motives and identify different typologies among young daily smokers

Psychometric Properties of the FTCD and Brief WISDM: Support for Validity in a Legal-System-Involved Sample

INTRODUCTION

The Fagerström test for cigarette dependence (FTCD) and Brief Wisconsin index of smoking dependence motives (WISDM) are widely used measures of smoking dependence. The FTCD was previously found to have 1-factor and 2-factor structures and Brief WISDM has been found to have an 11-factor and 11-factor hierarchical structure. As such, the current study sought to further investigate the psychometric properties of the FTCD and Brief WISDM with a novel criminal-legal system-involved sample using both a factor-analytic and an item response theory (IRT) approach.

AIMS AND METHODS

Data from 517 criminal-legal system-involved adults (ie, 18 years of age or older) who smoke from Alabama, USA were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted on 1-factor and 2-factor structures of the FTCD and 1-factor, 11-factor, and 11-factor hierarchical structures of the Brief WISDM. IRT analyses investigating item discrimination and threshold parameters were also conducted on the brief WISDM.

RESULTS

The CFA showed poor fit for a single-factor structure and mixed results for two 2-factor results for the FTCD. CFA also showed poor fit for a single-factor and mixed results for the 11-factor model. Initial IRT investigations using the 11-factor model showed strong item discrimination, but non-ordered threshold parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-factor structures for the FTCD and the 11-factor model for the Brief WISDM were partially supported in a criminal-legal population, suggesting continued support for the multidimensional structure of the measures. Additionally, exploratory IRT analyses suggested good discrimination across the use spectrum for the Brief WISDM.

IMPLICATIONS

The Fagerström Test of Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) and Brief Wisconsin index of smoking dependence motives (WISDM) are two widely used measures of nicotine dependence, though previous research has shown mixed results for their internal consistency and factor structure. The current study used a unique sample of criminal-legal-involved participants who generally have moderate to high levels of nicotine dependence. The current study found that the FTCD displayed poor internal consistency, a poor fit for a single-factor model, but mixed support for two two-factor models. The Brief-WISDM was found to have strong internal consistency, a poor fit for a single-factor model, but mixed fit for an 11-factor model and good item discrimination.

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives among Spanish smokers from the general population

INTRODUCTION

The brief version of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (B-WISDM) is a well-established instrument to measure the multidimensional nature of nicotine dependence. However, no previous research has assessed its psychometric properties in the Spanish context. The aim of the present study was to analyze the factor structure and measurement invariance across gender of this instrument among Spanish smokers from the general population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study assessed 480 smokers through an online questionnaire including information on tobacco use and several nicotine dependence measures. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to assess the factorial structure of the Spanish B-WISDM, its internal consistency, measurement invariance across gender and convergent validity with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Glover-Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) scores.

RESULTS

Results indicate that the eleven correlated factors solution had a better fit when compared to the other tested models (two correlated factors and two second-order factors with eleven first-order correlated factors solution), remaining such structure invariant across gender. Internal consistency of the scale was high (α = 0.950; dimension α values ranged between 0.657 and 0.921). Overall scores and dimensions of the scale significantly and positively correlated with other nicotine dependence measures (except for Social/Environmental Goads and FTND).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first version of the B-WISDM validated to assess nicotine dependence with a multidimensional perspective within the Spanish culture. Results show adequate psychometric properties regarding its factor structure and measurement invariance across gender, supporting its utility to evaluate the motives driving tobacco use among Spanish smokers from the general population.

Tobacco Dependence Among French University Students: A Cluster Analytic Approach to Identifying Distinct Psychological Profiles of Smokers

This study investigates the combination of several psychological factors related to tobacco smoking to identify smokers’ psychological profiles among French university students. A cluster analysis was performed on smoking motives, psychosocial variables, and the smoker identity ( N = 909). Five profiles were identified and then compared regarding tobacco dependence and motivations to quit. “Normative” and “sociohedonist smokers” are characterized by two distinct social factors (normative influences and social motives) and moderate dependence. “Dependent identified smokers” have higher levels of dependence motives, smoker identity and tobacco dependence associated with low motivations to quit. “Inconsistent smokers” have weak smoker identity and weak smoking motives, a strong perceived control over resisting smoking, low dependence and motivations to quit. “Coping smokers” have strong sedative and addictive motives and exhibit moderate dependence and motivations to quit. This research encourages prevention programs to consider the diversity of student smokers with strategies adapted to their psychological profiles.

Assessment of Family, Peers, and Externalising Behaviour Dimensions in Adolescence: The Proposal of a Comprehensive Instrument (FPEB)

In the context of externalising behaviour problems, risk factor research (RFR) focuses on risk and protective factors of juvenile delinquency, which can pertain to individual, system, and societal levels. Several instruments aiming at measuring these factors have been developed, but a comprehensive research tool is missing. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a questionnaire, the "Family, Peers, and Externalising Behaviour in adolescence" (FPEB) as a tool for assessing adolescents' tendency of externalising behaviour, the quality of relation with their parents, and peer-relations. FPEB was administered to 835 Italian students (36.8% males, age M = 13.81, SD = 1.54) together with the Moral Disengagement questionnaire to test concurrent validity. Data about socio-demographics and school performance were also collected. An EFA (Promax rotation, subsample A, n = 444) resulted in a four-factor structure that was corroborated by a CFA (subsample B, n = 388). The factors were "externalising behaviour" (var 13.16%), "peer relations difficulties" (var 11.10%), "Family conflict" (var 8.32%), and "lack of family negotiation" (var 7.11%) and showed good internal consistency (all α ≥ 0.65). There were differences between males and females in the correlational patterns of the four factors. The FPEB factors also showed good concurrent validity: two of the four factors ("lack of family negotiation" and "externalising behaviour") and the total score of the scale correlated with the "Moral disengagement scale", whereas peer relation difficulties did not. Further analyses also showed gender differences (except for "peer relations difficulties") and an association between students' school performance and "externalising behaviour", "family conflict", and the total FPEB scores. We concluded that the FPEB is a tool that is potentially useful to assess risk and protective factors and to plan targeted interventions (focusing on the specific area). Limitations and suggestions for further improvements are also discussed.

No evidence of differences in smoking levels, nicotine dependence, carbon monoxide or motivational indices between cigarette smokers and cigarette + e-cigarette dual users in two samples

Concurrent use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as an alternative source of nicotine may lead to lower smoke exposure, tobacco addiction and reinforcing value of conventional combustible cigarettes. In two different cohorts, we characterized smokers, dual cigarette/e-cigarette users, and e-cigarette-only users in terms of sociodemographic, motives and patterns of e-cigarette use. Differences in smoking-related characteristics and reinforcing value of cigarettes between smokers and e-cigarette dual users were also examined. Two cohorts comprising 339 community adults [Sample 1; aged 18-65] and 293 young adult binge drinkers [Sample 2; aged 19-24] were recruited in Hamilton, Ontario. All participants provided expired carbon monoxide (CO) samples and completed an assessment battery including the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM), and the Cigarette Purchase Task (CPT). In both samples, smoking rate, CO level, FTND, WISDM, and CPT responses did not significantly differ between smokers and dual users. Compared to e-cigarette-only individuals, dual users from the two cohorts reported a greater use of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking, but dual product consumers exhibited no significant differences in motivation for change relative to combustible-only smokers. Relative to smokers, e-cigarette dual users did not show lower levels of smoking, lower severity of cigarette addiction and reinforcing value of cigarettes in these samples. These findings suggest that concurrent e-cigarette use does not affect combustible tobacco use or motivation, or reduce its harms.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives Among a Nonclinical Sample of Smokers

INTRODUCTION

Attempts to validate the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM) have produced mixed results. The objectives for the current research were to (1) evaluate the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity for each of the motive scales (2) evaluate three models to determine fit based on previous research: (i) 11-factor model, (ii) 11-factor model with four error covariances specified by previous research, and (iii) 11-factor model with two higher order primary and secondary dependence motive factors, and (3) evaluate the discriminant and convergent validity of the Brief WISDM scales.

METHODS

Smoking adults aged 18-65 completed a survey about their smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence with a web-based instrument that was administered at a 3-month test-retest interval. Psychometric properties and test-retest reliability were evaluated for each instrument. The 11-factor Brief WISDM was evaluated with confirmatory factor analyses; the scales were evaluated for convergent and discriminant validity.

RESULTS

The Brief WISDM demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the model with the second order primary and secondary dependence motive factors demonstrated the best fit for the data at both administrations. Discriminant validity issues were present for most of the primary dependence motive scales.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, the theoretically derived smoking motives for the Brief WISDM have demonstrated mixed support when submitted to confirmatory factor analysis. While these scales tap critical motives of nicotine dependence, further refinement of primary dependence motives is necessary to ensure each latent variable assesses a unique construct.

Comparisons of three nicotine dependence scales in a multiethnic sample of young adult menthol and non-menthol smokers

BACKGROUND

Few studies have compared nicotine dependence among menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers in a multiethnic sample of young adult daily cigarette smokers. This study examines differences in nicotine dependence among menthol and non-menthol daily smokers and the associations of nicotine dependence with quitting behaviors among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and White cigarette smokers aged 18-35.

METHODS

Craigslist.org, newspaper advertisements, and peer-to-peer referrals were used to recruit daily smokers (n = 186) into a lab-based study. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS), and the brief Wisconsin Inventory for Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine differences in nicotine dependence between menthol and non-menthol smokers and the relationship between each nicotine dependence scale with self-efficacy to quit, quit attempt in the past 12 months, and number of attempts.

RESULTS

Menthol smokers were more likely to report difficulty refraining from smoking in places where forbidden (p = .04) and had higher scores on social/environmental goads subscale of the WISDM (p = .0005). Two-way interaction models of the FTND and menthol status showed that menthol smokers with higher levels of dependence were more likely to have tried to quit smoking in the past 12 months (p = .02), but were less likely to have had multiple quit attempts (p = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Components of the FTND and WISDM distinguish levels of dependence between menthol and non-menthol smokers. Higher FTND scores were associated with having a quit attempt, but fewer quit attempts among menthol smokers.