Psychometric Properties of the Autonomy over Tobacco Scale in German

Abstract

Background/Aims: We investigated the psychometric properties of a German translation of the 12-item Autonomy over Tobacco Scale (AUTOS) among 1,195 eighth-grade students. Methods: Data for this study were collected as part of the fourth wave of data collection of the Smokefree Class Competition intervention in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany. Students from the control arm of the Smokefree Class Competition study who indicated that they had ever smoked ‘at least a few puffs’ on a cigarette were classified as ever-smokers. They self-completed questionnaires distributed by teachers. Results: AUTOS scores ranged from 0 to 36 with a distribution highly skewed toward lower-response categories. Inter-item correlations ranged from 0.65 to 0.89 (mean = 0.79, SD = 0.06). Composite reliability for the AUTOS was high (Ω = 0.96) and 3 lower-order factors were also reliable (withdrawal: 0.89, psychological dependence: 0.91, cue-induced cravings: 0.87). Concurrent validity was supported by strong relationships between the AUTOS and both lifetime cigarette consumption and current smoking frequency. Youths were 18 times more likely to be current smokers (95% CI = 11.9–27.2, p < 0.001) if they endorsed any AUTOS item. Conclusion: The German AUTOS is reliable and valid, and the results are consistent with the English AUTOS for use with adolescents.

Dependence measures for non-cigarette tobacco products within the context of the global epidemic: a systematic review

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Item Response Theory analysis of the Autonomy over Tobacco Scale (AUTOS)

“…In prior studies the AUTOS has demonstrated a single factor structure and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.91-0.96) with both adolescents and adults (DiFranza et al, 2009;Wellman et al, 2012). In adult smokers, the scale demonstrates concurrent validity against the FTCD, the HONC, the longest period of abstinence, days smoked per month, the percentage of time a smoker smokes because of momentary need, and the smoker's concern about Note: Item 1: "When I go too long without a cigarette, I get impatient."…”

Remote Biochemical Verification of Smoking Abstinence via Mobile-Phone Video Call

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