Related Experiment Videos
Development and validation of the Attitudes Towards Smoking Scale (ATS-18)
J F Etter1, J P Humair, M M Bergman
1Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland. etter@cmu.unige.ch
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|June 1, 2000
Summary
A new Attitudes Towards Smoking Scale (ATS-18) was developed and validated. This reliable instrument accurately measures smoking attitudes and predicts cessation or relapse in smokers and ex-smokers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding attitudes towards smoking is crucial for developing effective smoking cessation interventions.
- Existing measures may not adequately capture the multidimensional nature of smoking attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a scale measuring attitudes towards smoking in current and former cigarette smokers.
- To assess the reliability and predictive validity of the developed scale.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through mail surveys from 616 smokers and 529 smokers/ex-smokers.
- A 16-month follow-up survey was conducted among 93 participants.
- Scale validation included content, construct, and predictive validity assessments.
Main Results:
- The
- Attitudes Towards Smoking Scale
- (ATS-18) was developed, comprising 18 items across three dimensions: adverse effects, psychoactive benefits, and pleasure.
- The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (0.85-0.88) and test-retest correlations (0.75-0.90).
- A differential score predicted smoking cessation and relapse.
Conclusions:
- The ATS-18 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing attitudes towards smoking.
- The scale can be utilized in both research and clinical settings for smoking cessation programs.
- The findings support the use of the ATS-18 in understanding smoking behavior and predicting cessation outcomes.