[Brazilian validation of the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges]

This study was designed to validate the Brazilian version of the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU). The design was experimental, and participants were randomly distributed in groups of zero, 30, and 60 minutes of tobacco abstinence. The total sample was 201, with 67 males and 134 females, age ranging from 18 to 65 (M = 38.15). The instruments applied, besides QSU, were the Social and Demographic Data Form, Visual Analogue Scale to evaluate craving, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories. Total variation in the two-factor factorial analysis was 57.76%, with a high inter-correlation (r = 0.726; p = 0.000). Factor 1 represented the anticipated relief of negative affect, nicotine abstinence symptoms, and urgent and overwhelming desire to smoke. Factor 2 represented the desire to smoke and the anticipation of smoking pleasure. Such results are contrary to those found in the original QSU. The Brazilian version proved to be an adequate and reliable instrument that can be used in both research and patient treatment.