Alba González-Roz1,2, Roberto Secades-Villa3, Gema Aonso-Diego3, Sara Weidberg3, José R Fernández-Hermida3. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijóo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain. alba.gonzalez@uib.es. 2. Department of Psychology/Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, Valldemossa Km. 7.5, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. alba.gonzalez@uib.es. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijóo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Behavioral economics has shown that single-item demand indicators are promising for capturing crucial aspects of nicotine reinforcement. It is suggested that brief breakpoint measures perform comparably to full-length demand indices in characterizing nicotine dependence; however, there have been no thorough assessments of their validity in clinical settings. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the validity and accuracy of a single-item breakpoint in informing on tobacco demand. METHODS: The sample consisted of 88 treatment-seeking smokers (% males = 70.5%) enrolled in substance use treatment. Participants provided data on smoking characteristics and completed the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, a single-item breakpoint measure and a 14-item cigarette purchase task (CPT). Hierarchical regressions were performed to compare the predictive capability of a single-item breakpoint and full-length tobacco demand indicators in determining nicotine addiction severity. RESULTS: The single-item breakpoint was significantly correlated with all indices stemmed from the CPT and both latent factors (all r values = .250-.368). Neither the brief breakpoint nor the full-length breakpoint significantly predicted nicotine dependence. After controlling for sex and smoking variables, factor 2 [β = .565, p < .001] and its observed variables Omax [β = .279, p = .006], 1/elasticity [β = .340, p = .001], and intensity [β = .551, p < .001], robustly predicted nicotine dependence severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the validity of single-item breakpoint measures for characterizing nicotine dependence in substance users. In a bid to foster translational research, brief demand measures capturing Omax, intensity, and elasticity should be developed.
RATIONALE: Behavioral economics has shown that single-item demand indicators are promising for capturing crucial aspects of nicotine reinforcement. It is suggested that brief breakpoint measures perform comparably to full-length demand indices in characterizing nicotine dependence; however, there have been no thorough assessments of their validity in clinical settings. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the validity and accuracy of a single-item breakpoint in informing on tobacco demand. METHODS: The sample consisted of 88 treatment-seeking smokers (% males = 70.5%) enrolled in substance use treatment. Participants provided data on smoking characteristics and completed the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, a single-item breakpoint measure and a 14-item cigarette purchase task (CPT). Hierarchical regressions were performed to compare the predictive capability of a single-item breakpoint and full-length tobacco demand indicators in determining nicotine addiction severity. RESULTS: The single-item breakpoint was significantly correlated with all indices stemmed from the CPT and both latent factors (all r values = .250-.368). Neither the brief breakpoint nor the full-length breakpoint significantly predicted nicotine dependence. After controlling for sex and smoking variables, factor 2 [β = .565, p < .001] and its observed variables Omax [β = .279, p = .006], 1/elasticity [β = .340, p = .001], and intensity [β = .551, p < .001], robustly predicted nicotine dependence severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the validity of single-item breakpoint measures for characterizing nicotine dependence in substance users. In a bid to foster translational research, brief demand measures capturing Omax, intensity, and elasticity should be developed.
Authors: L Cinnamon Bidwell; James MacKillop; James G Murphy; Jennifer W Tidey; Suzanne M Colby Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2012-06-13 Impact factor: 3.913