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Methodological note: corroboration of self-reported smoking status using significant other reports
S L Emont1, R L Collins, W H Zywiak
1Research Institute on Alcoholism, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Addictive Behaviors
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Significant other reports (SORs) can verify smoking status in cessation studies. Discrepancies between self-reports and SORs are influenced by smoking behavior and social context.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Significant other reports (SORs) are crucial for validating self-reported smoking status in cessation programs.
- Understanding factors influencing SOR accuracy is vital for reliable study outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors affecting the accuracy of self-reported smoking status when using SORs.
- To analyze the relationship between smoker/significant other factors and report discrepancies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 107 smokers in a cessation program.
- Collection of self-reports and SORs at 1, 3, and 6 months post-quitting.
- Comparison of self-reported smoking status against SORs.
Main Results:
- The highest discrepancy rates were found in 'slippers', followed by relapsers, and then abstainers.
- The social context, influencing when significant others observed smokers, impacted report corroboration.
- Discrepancies varied based on the smoker's relapse status and social interactions.
Conclusions:
- SOR accuracy in smoking cessation studies is influenced by individual smoking behavior (relapse, slipping) and social dynamics.
- The social environment plays a key role in the reliability of significant other reports.
- Future research should consider these factors to improve the validity of smoking cessation data.