BACKGROUND: Many researchers rely on high-quality face-to-face national surveys conducted by the federal government to estimate the prevalence of nicotine product use, but some scholars have suggested that adults' self-reports in such surveys are intentionally distorted by social desirability response bias, thus raising questions about the validity of those data. OBJECTIVES: To assess the validity of face-to-face survey self-reports by comparing them with physiological tests. RESEARCH DESIGN: Respondents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided self-reports of nicotine product use and gave blood samples that were analyzed for levels of serum cotinine, an indicator of nicotine exposure. SUBJECTS: Nationally representative samples of thousands of American adults in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey surveys conducted in 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008. MEASURES: Serum cotinine levels and self-reports of nicotine product use. RESULTS: On average, only 1.17% to 1.25% of adult respondents said that they did not use a product containing nicotine, but had elevated cotinine levels. After eliminating the potential influence of passive smoking, these figures dropped to 0.89% to 0.94%. This small discrepancy between the 2 assessments could be due to measurement error in the cotinine test results or to recent use of cotinine-elevating medication. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not support the claim that a substantial number of adult respondents intentionally under-report nicotine consumption in face-to-face interviews. The remarkable accuracy of self-reports of nicotine consumption seen here justifies confidence in self-reports of this behavior in such surveys.
BACKGROUND: Many researchers rely on high-quality face-to-face national surveys conducted by the federal government to estimate the prevalence of nicotine product use, but some scholars have suggested that adults' self-reports in such surveys are intentionally distorted by social desirability response bias, thus raising questions about the validity of those data. OBJECTIVES: To assess the validity of face-to-face survey self-reports by comparing them with physiological tests. RESEARCH DESIGN: Respondents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided self-reports of nicotine product use and gave blood samples that were analyzed for levels of serum cotinine, an indicator of nicotine exposure. SUBJECTS: Nationally representative samples of thousands of American adults in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey surveys conducted in 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008. MEASURES: Serum cotinine levels and self-reports of nicotine product use. RESULTS: On average, only 1.17% to 1.25% of adult respondents said that they did not use a product containing nicotine, but had elevated cotinine levels. After eliminating the potential influence of passive smoking, these figures dropped to 0.89% to 0.94%. This small discrepancy between the 2 assessments could be due to measurement error in the cotinine test results or to recent use of cotinine-elevating medication. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not support the claim that a substantial number of adult respondents intentionally under-report nicotine consumption in face-to-face interviews. The remarkable accuracy of self-reports of nicotine consumption seen here justifies confidence in self-reports of this behavior in such surveys.
Authors: M Severs; S J H van Erp; M E van der Valk; M J J Mangen; H H Fidder; M van der Have; A A van Bodegraven; D J de Jong; C J van der Woude; M J L Romberg-Camps; C H M Clemens; J M Jansen; P C van de Meeberg; N Mahmmod; C Y Ponsioen; C Bolwerk; J R Vermeijden; M J Pierik; P D Siersema; M Leenders; A E van der Meulen-de Jong; G Dijkstra; B Oldenburg Journal: J Crohns Colitis Date: 2015-12-30 Impact factor: 9.071
Authors: Emily S Wan; Weiliang Qiu; Vincent J Carey; Jarrett Morrow; Helene Bacherman; Marilyn G Foreman; John E Hokanson; Russell P Bowler; James D Crapo; Dawn L DeMeo Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 6.914
Authors: Annette R Kaufman; Amber R Koblitz; Alexander Persoskie; Rebecca A Ferrer; William M P Klein; Laura A Dwyer; Elyse R Park Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2015-05-10 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Aron Onerup; David Bock; Mats Börjesson; Monika Fagevik Olsén; Martin Gellerstedt; Eva Haglind; Hanna Nilsson; Eva Angenete Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis Date: 2016-03-07 Impact factor: 2.571
Authors: Stefano Guerra; Monica M Vasquez; Amber Spangenberg; Marilyn Halonen; Fernando D Martinez Journal: Lancet Respir Med Date: 2013-11-15 Impact factor: 30.700