Measuring adolescent smoking cessation strategies: instrument development and initial validation
Mark G Myers1, Laura MacPherson, Lashanda R Jones
1University of California, San Diego, and Veteran Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA. mgmyers@ucsd.edu
Summary
Most teens try to quit smoking, but effective strategies are unclear. The Ways of Quitting questionnaire (WOQ) identifies helpful methods like social support and reduction for adolescent smoking cessation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adolescent smoking cessation is common, yet the process remains poorly understood.
- Developing effective interventions requires understanding teen-specific cessation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate the Ways of Quitting questionnaire (WOQ) for assessing adolescent smoking cessation strategies.
- To identify commonly used and helpful cessation methods among adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Focus groups with adolescents informed questionnaire development.
- The WOQ, assessing 28 strategies, was administered to 88 adolescents who had attempted cessation.
- Descriptive, psychometric, and validation analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Avoidance, reduction, and distraction were the most frequently used strategies.
- Social support and reduction strategies were rated as most helpful and associated with longer abstinence.
- Formal intervention approaches were least used and rated as least helpful.
Conclusions:
- The WOQ is a potentially valid measure for adolescent smoking cessation strategies.
- Social support and reduction strategies appear promising for supporting teen quit attempts.