Validation of English-language versions of three scales measuring attitudes towards smoking, smoking-related self-efficacy and the use of smoking cessation strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the validity of English translations of three scales initially developed in French, measuring perception of the adverse effects of smoking, self-efficacy and the use of smoking cessation strategies.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2001, 5667 people from 97 countries (4724 smokers and 943 ex-smokers) answered the scales on the internet, of which 997 (18%) took part in a follow-up 86 days later.


RESULTS
The factor structures of the scales were generally maintained after translation. Internal consistency coefficients were 0.5-0.9. Test-retest reliability was >0.7 for the "Adverse effects" and self-efficacy scales, but was low (0.2-0.4) for self-change strategies, which probably reflects active use of these strategies in this sample. The translated scales performed adequately in most tests of construct validity. In particular, higher self-efficacy ratings predicted smoking cessation at follow-up, and a lower self-efficacy predicted relapse in baseline ex-smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The validity of the scales was maintained after translation in English.
Christie
Derek H
DH
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Case Postale, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Etter
Jean-François
JF
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations