title: A Q-methodological investigation into the meanings of cigarette consumption.
abstract: This Q-methodological study identified shared subjective explanations of smoking among non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers, to consider whether some representations were protective or facilitated quitting. Four factors were identified: named independent addiction; independent non-addiction; anti-smoking; and social addiction. The first two factors were dominated by current and ex-smokers, and the last two by non-smokers. Differences emerged on the use of the 'addiction' concept, the use of smoking as a tool for affect management, the role of image manipulation and the general positive and negative perceptions of smoking. The functional use of the different shared smoking representations is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. tim.moss@uwe.ac.uk
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bould
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010379:Peer Group; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*