Julia Kim1,2, Yasaman Kambari1, Anmol Taggar1, Lena C Quilty3,4, Peter Selby3,5, Fernando Caravaggio1,3, Fumihiko Ueno1, Jianmeng Song1,2, Bruce G Pollock4,6, Ariel Graff-Guerrero1,2,3,4,6, Philip Gerretsen1,2,3,4,6. 1. Multimodal Imaging Group, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada. 2. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Campbell Institute Research Program, CAMH, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 6. Geriatric Mental Health Division, CAMH, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Impaired illness awareness or the inability to recognize that one has a dependence on nicotine may be a major barrier to seeking cessation treatment. To better understand the role of impaired illness awareness on treatment-seeking behavior and clinical outcomes, we developed and examined the psychometric properties of a novel scale measuring illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine. AIMS AND METHODS: We developed the Nicotine Use Awareness and Insight Scale (NAS), a 7-item self-report measure to assess the theoretical construct of illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine (www.illnessawarenessscales.com). Data from participants 18 years of age or older were collected via a web-based survey company, Dynata. Participants with moderate dependence on nicotine were included, defined by a score of four or more on the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) or the FTCD adapted for electronic cigarettes (eFTCD). RESULTS: A total of 100 participants (mean [SD] age = 49.1 [16.1] years, 52% women) that met the inclusion criteria for either FTCD (n = 50) or eFTCD (n = 50) were included. The NAS demonstrated good convergent (r = .74, p < .001) and discriminant validity (r = .03, p = .786). It also demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78) and one-month test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.86). An exploratory factor analysis yielded the retention of two components. CONCLUSIONS: The NAS is a novel scale to asses illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine. This study provides initial support for the psychometric validity and reliability of NAS. IMPLICATIONS: The NAS may be used in research and clinical practice to evaluate the impact of impaired illness awareness on treatment-seeking behavior and clinical outcomes.
INTRODUCTION: Impaired illness awareness or the inability to recognize that one has a dependence on nicotine may be a major barrier to seeking cessation treatment. To better understand the role of impaired illness awareness on treatment-seeking behavior and clinical outcomes, we developed and examined the psychometric properties of a novel scale measuring illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine. AIMS AND METHODS: We developed the Nicotine Use Awareness and Insight Scale (NAS), a 7-item self-report measure to assess the theoretical construct of illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine (www.illnessawarenessscales.com). Data from participants 18 years of age or older were collected via a web-based survey company, Dynata. Participants with moderate dependence on nicotine were included, defined by a score of four or more on the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) or the FTCD adapted for electronic cigarettes (eFTCD). RESULTS: A total of 100 participants (mean [SD] age = 49.1 [16.1] years, 52% women) that met the inclusion criteria for either FTCD (n = 50) or eFTCD (n = 50) were included. The NAS demonstrated good convergent (r = .74, p < .001) and discriminant validity (r = .03, p = .786). It also demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78) and one-month test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.86). An exploratory factor analysis yielded the retention of two components. CONCLUSIONS: The NAS is a novel scale to asses illness awareness in individuals with dependence on nicotine. This study provides initial support for the psychometric validity and reliability of NAS. IMPLICATIONS: The NAS may be used in research and clinical practice to evaluate the impact of impaired illness awareness on treatment-seeking behavior and clinical outcomes.
Authors: Philip Gerretsen; Julia Kim; Parita Shah; Lena Quilty; Thushanthi Balakumar; Fernando Caravaggio; Eric Plitman; Jun Ku Chung; Yusuke Iwata; Bruce G Pollock; Satya Dash; Sanjeev Sockalingam; Ariel Graff-Guerrero Journal: J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) Date: 2018-03-10 Impact factor: 3.738