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Predictive validity of four nicotine dependence measures in a college sample
Eve M Sledjeski1, Lisa C Dierker, Darcé Costello
1Wesleyan University, Psychology Department, 207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA. esledjeski@wesleyan.edu
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|August 26, 2006
Summary
Four nicotine dependence measures predict smoking behaviors in light smokers. Higher dependence scores on all measures correlated with shorter abstinence periods, indicating their utility in understanding light smoking patterns.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Investigated predictive and incremental validity of four nicotine dependence measures.
- Focused on a college student sample with light smoking patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare four nicotine dependence measures: DSM-IV criteria, FTND, HONC, and NDSS.
- Assess their ability to predict future smoking behavior in light smokers.
Main Methods:
- Administered dependence measures at the end of the first semester.
- Assessed follow-up smoking behavior (continuation, quantity, frequency, abstinence) over two academic years.
Main Results:
- HONC and DSM-IV scores predicted smoking behavior at follow-up.
- NDSS factors showed mixed predictions for smoking quantity.
- DSM-IV, NDSS-priority, and HONC demonstrated incremental validity.
- All measures correlated with shorter abstinence durations.
Conclusions:
- Nicotine dependence measures show differential relationships with smoking outcomes in light smokers.
- Nicotine dependence can predict various smoking behaviors, even in light smoking populations.
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