Psychometric evaluation of the sensory e-cigarette expectancies scale for use with adolescents

The Sensory E-cigarette Expectancies Scale (SEES) has demonstrated solid psychometric properties for use with adults. It assesses expectancies for enjoying the taste and smell of vaping, experiencing pleasurable physical sensations, and enjoying creating vapor clouds. We evaluated psychometric properties of the SEES for use with adolescents.

In Fall 2022, 4,855 students from eight Connecticut high schools completed an anonymous, cross-sectional, online survey. Our analytic sample (n = 724) endorsed lifetime e-cigarette use and completed the SEES. Psychometric analyses included factor analyses, internal reliability, measurement invariance, between-groups differences, and relationships with vaping outcomes.

The three-factor SEES structure was confirmed. Internal reliability of each subscale was excellent (range: 0.88-0.95). The SEES was invariant by sex (male/female), race (Black/White/Other), Hispanic ethnicity (no/yes), nicotine e-cigarette use (no/yes), any past-month vaping (no/yes), daily vaping (no/yes), and vaping status (a variable created based on the distribution of past-month vaping frequency [0; 1-4; 5-20; 21+ days]). Those who reported using nicotine e-cigarettes, past-month vaping, daily vaping, and vaping on 21+ days in the past month reported stronger scores on each subscale compared to their respective counterparts. In adjusted models, expecting Pleasurable Physical Sensations was associated with total flavors used, past-month vaping frequency, and e-cigarette dependence. Enjoyment of Taste and Smell was positively associated with total flavors used and e-cigarette dependence. Enjoyment of Vapor Clouds was positively associated with total flavors used and past-month vaping frequency.

Given its strong psychometric properties, the SEES can be used in future research to assess sensory-related vaping expectancies in youth.