Nicotine Dependence Measures for Perinatal Women

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Addiction Science
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Nicotine dependence assessment is crucial for perinatal women.
• Existing measures, like the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), may have limitations in this specific population.
• Understanding the psychometric properties of these measures is essential for accurate research and clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and evaluate nicotine dependence measures used in perinatal women.
• To assess the psychometric properties of identified instruments.
• To recommend optimal assessment tools for this population.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review of 55 articles from five databases.
• Identification and analysis of various nicotine dependence measures.
• Evaluation of psychometric properties of instruments like FTND, Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM), and others.

Main Results:

• The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is frequently used but may not be the most suitable for perinatal women.
• The Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM) demonstrates strong psychometric properties and captures relevant non-nicotinic aspects of dependence.
• Other measures include diagnostic tests, the Tobacco Dependence Screener, and single-item assessments.

Conclusions:

• The FTND may not be the optimal choice for measuring nicotine dependence in perinatal women.
• The WISDM is a promising alternative with good psychometric properties, relevant to women's experiences.
• Further research on WISDM reliability in perinatal populations and the use of biomarker validation and multiple instruments are recommended.