Revisiting the Factor Structure of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges.

Abstract

This study assessed the factor structure of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU), a commonly used assessment of cravings for cigarettes, with a sample of smokers presenting for treatment in a smoking cessation trial. On the basis of previous research, three confirmatory factor analytic models were tested. Model 1 hypothesized a 26-item, 2-factor model using the items reported in the original QSU analysis by S. T. Tiffany and D. J. . Model 2 hypothesized a 12-item, 2-factor model comprised of the 6 most robust items found in each of the 2 factors of the original factor analysis. Using the 12 items from Model 2, Model 3 hypothesized a 12-item, 1-factor model. The 2nd model was found to fit the data best. Reliability was also tested using values obtained in this 2nd model, and these estimates were found to be reasonably good. Future research directions for the QSU are discussed.The Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU) is a widely used measure of urges for cigarettes. Tiffany and Drobes (1991) initially reported the development of this questionnaire and provided a preliminary factor structure and reliability data. The sample used for this original study was composed of 230 community-based smokers who were not seeking treatment. The average participant was 21.4 years old, smoked 22.3 cigarettes per day, and had been smoking for 4.81 years. These researchers developed the items for this scale with the intention of representing four categories: "(1) desire to smoke; (2) anticipation of immediate positive outcome from smoking; (3) anticipation of immediate relief from nicotine withdrawal or relief from negative affect; (4) intention to smoke" , p. 1468. A factor analysis yielded a two-factor structure. The first factor was deemed to relate to an intention to smoke and a desire to engage in cigarette smoking, which is believed to be pleasant, satisfying, and enjoyable. The second factor was said to be associated with the relief of negative affect or withdrawal through smoking. Typical scale items include the following: "My desire to smoke seems overpowering," "I crave a cigarette right now," "I would be less irritable now if I could smoke," "I could control things better right now if I could smoke" , p. 1469. This scale has been used to measure cravings for cigarettes in numerous experimental studies (e.g., Bell, Taylor, Singleton, Henningfield, & Heishman, 1999;Willner & Jones, 1996) and has been translated to both French (Guillin et al., 2000) and German (Mueller, Mucha, Ackermann, & Pauli, 2001 Despite the prevalent use of this measure, only two studies have attempted to confirm the original factor structure reported by Tiffany and Drobes (1991). Davies, Wilner, and Morgan (2000) replicated this factor structure in a community-based sample of 271 smokers not seeking treatment. The average participant in this study was 21.63 years old, smoked 16.46 cigarettes per day, and had been smoking for 6.03 years. Also using a community-based sample, Kozlowski, Pillitteri, Sweeney, Whitfield, and Graham (1996) co...

Investigating the factor structure of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief)

“…However, when subjected to confirmatory factor analysis, which allows for a more stringent analysis of the data, the evidence presented in the present study revealed that the data was best explained by a shortened form of the QSU-Brief. These results echo the findings of both Kozlowski et al (1996) and Toll et al (2004), in which the initial factor solution of the 32-item QSU presented by Tiffany and Drobes (1991) was not validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Instead, a model that included a shortened form of the QSU using only the most robust items from the initial factor analysis was found to fit the data best.…”

“…Taken together with the results of Kozlowski et al (1996) and Toll et al (2004), these findings provide evidence that only the most robust items from the QSU and QSU-Brief are amenable to confirmatory factor analysis.…”

“…Cox et al (2001) briefly discussed the possibility that the QSU-Brief might be used as a global craving measure. While this type of measure might be possible, the results of the Cox et al study, the present study, and almost all of the studies analyzing the factor structure of the 32-item version of the QSU found evidence for a multidimensional nature of craving (Davies, Wilner, & Morgan, 2000;Tiffany & Drobes, 1991;Toll et al, 2004). Indeed, even the study that argued for a unidimensional factor structure for the QSU (i.e., Kozlowski et al, 1996) provided evidence for a two-factor structure for the scale.…”

“…An alternative model, initially proposed by Kozlowski, Pilliteri, Sweeney, Whitfield, and Graham (1996) and later confirmed by Toll, McKee, Krishnan-Sarin, and O'Malley (2004), appeared to represent a better fit to the data in those studies. This alternative model used the six most robust items from each factor of the original QSU analysis to form two factors, one associated with desire and intention to smoke with an anticipation of pleasure from smoking and the other associated with relief of negative affect or withdrawal with an urgent desire to smoke.…”

Predictors of smoking lapse in a human laboratory paradigm

“…The following measures were administered at baseline immediately prior to the smoking lapse task: the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale measured nicotine withdrawal symptoms (WSWS; Welsch et al, 1999), and the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief) measured urge to smoke and craving (Cox et al, 2001;Toll et al, 2004;Toll et al, 2006). The two factors of the QSUBrief, which capture craving for the positive effects of smoking and craving to relieve the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal (Cox et al, 2001), were analyzed.…”