Identified or conflicted: a latent class and regression tree analysis explaining how identity constructs cluster...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Identity is crucial for understanding smoking behavior.
• Previous research often viewed identity constructs separately, but a multifaceted approach is increasingly recognized as important for smoking.
• Understanding how various identity aspects interact is key to addressing smoking behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clustering of smoking-related self- and group-identity constructs in adult daily smokers.
• To determine if distinct classes of smokers can be identified based on these identity clusters.
• To identify factors that predict membership in these smoker classes.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional online survey conducted in The Netherlands and Belgium (2017-2018) with 231 adult daily smokers.
• Latent class analysis and regression tree analysis were employed to identify smoker classes and explanatory factors.
• Key variables included smoker self- and group-identities, quitter/non-smoker identities, mental smoking dependence, consideration of future consequences, age of smoking onset, self-efficacy, and future self thought clarity.

Main Results:

• Two classes of smokers were identified: 'Identified smokers' (54%) and 'Conflicted smokers'.
• 'Identified smokers' exhibited stronger smoker identities, greater expected identity loss upon quitting, and weaker quitter/non-smoker identities.
• Class membership was significantly influenced by the interaction of mental smoking dependence (primary factor), consideration of future consequences, age of smoking onset, self-efficacy, and future self thought clarity.

Conclusions:

• Smoking identity is multifaceted and can be clustered into distinct profiles, such as 'identified' versus 'conflicted' smokers.
• Higher smoking dependence is associated with a stronger smoking-oriented identity.
• Factors like early smoking onset, reduced future thinking, and lower self-efficacy contribute to a more embedded smoking identity.