Prediction of adult-onset smoking initiation among U.S. Air force recruits using the pierce susceptibility questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
At one time, it was expected that if an individual reached young adulthood without smoking, his/her risk for initiation was minimal. However, recent data suggest that smoking initiation among young adults may be increasing. One particularly vulnerable population of young adults for smoking initiation is military recruits. This study examined whether a modified version of the Pierce Susceptibility Questionnaire (PSQ) might be useful for identifying military recruits who are vulnerable for the initiation of tobacco use.


METHODS
Active duty recruits entering the U.S. Air Force over a 1-year period (n=31,107) were assessed upon entry into basic military training (BMT), and a subsample was also assessed at 12 months following training.


RESULTS
The modified PSQ predicted initiation of cigarette use for all categories of baseline smokers (never, experimenters, former smokers, and regular users). The likelihood of initiating smoking after BMT was substantially higher among those identified as susceptible than among those identified as not susceptible.


CONCLUSIONS
It is likely that the PSQ would prove to be a valuable tool in attempts to reduce tobacco use in the military. The predictive abilities of the measure could be used to target intervention and prevention efforts towards those most at risk.
Haddock
C Keith
CK
University of Missouri-Kansas City and Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Hosptial, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA. haddock@umkc.edu
Lando
Harry A
HA
Pyle
Sara A
SA
Debon
Margaret
M
Weg
Mark Vander
MV
Klesges
Robert C
RC
Peterson
Alan L
AL
Relyea
George
G
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends*; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States