A comparison of the psychometric properties of the hooked on nicotine checklist and the modified Fagerström tolerance questionnaire.
We compared the psychometric properties of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) and the Modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (MFTQ). Adolescent current smokers (n = 215) completed both instruments three times, at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up. Internal consistency of the HONC was high (alpha = 0.92), as was its stability over the follow-up interval (intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.93 over 6 months and 0.91 over 1 year). Internal consistency of the MFTQ was acceptable (alpha = 0.83), and its stability over the follow-up interval was similar to that reported previously (ICC = 0.79 at 6 months and 0.76 at 1 year). The HONC predicted smoking at both follow-up points, while the MFTQ did so only at 6 months. The HONC compared favorably with the MFTQ in all respects. The most important advantage of the HONC is that it is measuring a clearly defined concept, diminished autonomy over tobacco, which begins when the sequelae of tobacco use present a barrier to quitting.
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Robert.Wellman@umassmed.edu
Robert J
RJ
Wellman
Joseph R
JR
DiFranza
Lori
L
Pbert
Kenneth E
KE
Fletcher
Alan
A
Flint
Martin H
MH
Young
Susan
S
Druker
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*