OBJECTIVE, PARTICIPANTS, AND METHODS: In this study, the authors explored the psychometric properties of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) among 300 college students who were current smokers. The HONC is a 10-item survey instrument designed to measure diminished autonomy over smoking, a key aspect of dependence. Autonomy is diminished when symptoms present a barrier to cessation. RESULTS: Internal consistency was high (alpha = .89), as was concurrent validity. Students who began smoking earlier and heavier smokers reported more symptoms than did those who started later and smoked less. After controlling for smoking frequency, the HONC was predictive of the likelihood of a failed cessation attempt, with each additional symptom doubling that likelihood. CONCLUSIONS: College health professionals could use the HONC to help new smokers recognize their symptoms of diminished autonomy. The HONC may serve as a recruiting tool for cessation programs, which could benefit such early-phase smokers.
OBJECTIVE, PARTICIPANTS, AND METHODS: In this study, the authors explored the psychometric properties of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) among 300 college students who were current smokers. The HONC is a 10-item survey instrument designed to measure diminished autonomy over smoking, a key aspect of dependence. Autonomy is diminished when symptoms present a barrier to cessation. RESULTS: Internal consistency was high (alpha = .89), as was concurrent validity. Students who began smoking earlier and heavier smokers reported more symptoms than did those who started later and smoked less. After controlling for smoking frequency, the HONC was predictive of the likelihood of a failed cessation attempt, with each additional symptom doubling that likelihood. CONCLUSIONS: College health professionals could use the HONC to help new smokers recognize their symptoms of diminished autonomy. The HONC may serve as a recruiting tool for cessation programs, which could benefit such early-phase smokers.
Authors: Raed Bahelah; Joseph R DiFranza; Fouad M Fouad; Kenneth D Ward; Thomas Eissenberg; Wasim Maziak Journal: Tob Control Date: 2016-04-25 Impact factor: 7.552
Authors: Wei Huang; Joseph R DiFranza; David N Kennedy; Nanyin Zhang; Douglas Ziedonis; Sanouri Ursprung; Jean A King Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-07-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Wei Huang; Jean A King; W W Sanouri Ursprung; Shaokuan Zheng; Nanyin Zhang; David N Kennedy; Douglas Ziedonis; Joseph R DiFranza Journal: Brain Behav Date: 2014-03-17 Impact factor: 2.708