DECOY: Documenting Experiences with Cigarettes and Other Tobacco in Young Adults.
OBJECTIVE
We examined psychographic characteristics associated with tobacco use among Project DECOY participants.


METHODS
Project DECOY is a 2-year longitudinal mixed-methods study examining risk for tobacco use among 3418 young adults across 7 Georgia colleges/universities. Baseline measures included sociodemographics, tobacco use, and psychographics using the Values, Attitudes, and Lifestyle Scale. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify correlates of tobacco use.


RESULTS
Past 30-day use prevalence was: 13.3% cigarettes; 11.3% little cigars/cigarillos (LCCs); 3.6% smokeless tobacco; 10.9% e-cigarettes; and 12.2% hookah. Controlling for sociodemographics, correlates of cigarette use included greater novelty seeking (p < .001) and intellectual curiosity (p = .010) and less interest in tangible creation (p = .002) and social conservatism (p < .001). Correlates of LCC use included greater novelty seeking (p < .001) and greater fashion orientation (p = .007). Correlates of smokeless tobacco use included greater novelty seeking (p = .006) and less intellectual curiosity (p < .001). Correlates of e-cigarette use included greater novelty seeking (p < .001) and less social conservatism (p = .002). Correlates of hookah use included greater novelty seeking (p < .001), fashion orientation (p = .044), and self-focused thinking (p = .002), and less social conservatism (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Psychographic characteristics distinguish users of different tobacco products.
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. cjberg@emory.edu.
Carla J
CJ
Berg
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Regine
R
Haardörfer
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Michael
M
Lewis
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Betelihem
B
Getachew
Department of Psychological Science, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA, USA.
Steven A
SA
Lloyd
Department of Exercise Physiology, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, USA.
Sarah Fretti
SF
Thomas
Department of Kinesiology, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, USA.
Angela
A
Lanier
Burruss Institute, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Kelleigh
K
Trepanier
Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Teresa
T
Johnston
Department of Nursing, Albany State University, Albany, GA, USA.
Linda
L
Grimsley
Campus Life, Central Georgia Technical College, Warner Robins, GA, USA.
Bruce
B
Foster
Adult Education, Athens Technical College, Athens, GA, USA.
Stephanie
S
Benson
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Alicia
A
Smith
Department of Environmental Health, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Dana Boyd
DB
Barr
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Michael
M
Windle
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult