Development and Validation of the Smoking Cue Appeal Survey

Abstract

In this two-study investigation, a measure of sensory smoking cue appeal was developed and evaluated relative to smoking behavior, smoking severity, and craving. In the first study, 101 participants completed the Smoking Cue Appeal Survey (SCAS) and self-reported smoking status (current, former, or non-smoker). In the second study, 54 participants completed the SCAS and craving was measured following a cue exposure procedure. Data were collected between 2008 and 2009. The SCAS demonstrated good psychometric properties and was associated with smoking status. Additionally, craving was significantly associated with the SCAS, but there was no association with frequency of smoking or severity of nicotine dependence. Limitations include a cross-sectional design, small sample size, and focus on trait factors. Future directions are discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

Le Développement et Validation d’une Enquête: L’appel de Stimuli Associé Avec de Fumer (Le SCAS).

Nous avons mené deux études où nous avons developpé un questionnaire que measuré l’appel des signaux sensoriels pour le tabac. Ce questionnaire a été évalué par rapport au comportement de fumer, le degree de tabagisme, et l’envie forte de fumer. Dans la première étude, 101 participants ont completé le questionnaire (le SCAS) et fait une declaration de leur statut de fumer (non-fumeur, fumeur ancien, fumeur actuel). Dans la deuxième étude, 54 participants ont complete le SCAS et leur envie était measurée après une éxposition aux stimuli. Nous recueillions des données dans les années 2008–2009. Le SCAS démontrait des bonnes propriétés psychométriques et il était associé au statut de fumer. De plus, l’envie était associer significativement au SCAS, mais il n’y avait pas d’association avec la fréquence de fumer ou le degrée de la dépendence à la nicotine. Les limites sont le utlisation d’une étude transversale, la taille de l’échantillon, et l’attention sur les traits de caractère. Les directions d’avenir sont discutés.

RESUMEN

El desarrollo y validación de Smoking Cue Appeal Survey

En esta investigacion de dos estudios, la medida de “sensory smoking cue appeal” fue desarrollada y evaluada en relacion con la conducta de fumar, la gravedad de fumar, y el antojo de fumar. En el primer estudio, 101 participantes completaron el Smoking Cue Appeal Survey (SCAS) y auto-reportaron su status de fumar (actual, pasado, o no fumador). En el segundo estudio, 54 participantes completaron el SCAS y los antojos de fumar fueron medidos despues de una señal de exposición de procedimiento. Los datos fueron coleccionados entre 2008–2009. Los SCAS demonstraron buenas propiedades psicométricas y fueron asociados con el “status” de fumar. Además, el antojo fue asociado de forma significantiva con los SCAS, pero no hay ninguna asociación con la frequencia de fumar ni la gravedad de la dependencia de la nicotina. Las limitaciones incluyen un diseño de muestra representativa, muestras pequeñas de tamaño y concentran en los rasgos hereditarios de carácter. Futura direcciones son discutidas.

Keywords :

• smoking
• conditioning
• smoking cue appeal
• psychometric properties
• craving

THE AUTHORS

Heather W. Murray, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor at Boston University, Boston. Dr. Murray's research interests include examining underlining mechanisms of distress tolerance in anxiety disorders and nicotine dependence as well as the study of dissemination and implementation of empirically supported treatments.

R. Kathryn McHugh, MA, is a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at Boston University. Ms. McHugh's research focuses on the nature and treatment of co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders and on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological interventions. In particular, she is interested in examining novel treatment strategies and delivery methods for these disorders.

Theresa Rowley, BA, is a Research Coordinator at the OCD and Related Disorders Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Ms. Rowley's research interests include the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders.

Alan D. Sirota, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry (Clinical) and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Sirota specializes in behavioral medicine and is the Chief Psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence.

Michael W. Otto, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Boston University and Director of the Translational Research Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Dr. Otto specializes in the cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. An enduring theme across these disorders is the role of exposure-based emotional tolerance/acceptance strategies in improving mental health.