The development and initial validation of a questionnaire on smoking urges

TLDR

A 32‑item smoking‑urge questionnaire was administered to 230 daily smokers under three deprivation conditions (0, 1, or 6 h). Factor analysis revealed a two‑factor structure with 15‑ and 11‑item scales that were highly reliable (α = 0.95 and 0.93), moderately correlated (r = 0.71), and whose scores rose with deprivation, with Factor 1 (intention/desire) consistently higher than Factor 2 (withdrawal relief).

Abstract

Abstract A 32‐item questionnaire on smoking urges was administered to 230 daily cigarette smokers assigned to one of three levels of cigarette deprivation (0, 1 or 6 hours). Factor analyses showed that a two‐factor solution best described the item structure for each of the three deprivation levels and for the entire sample. Factor scales of 15 and 11 items derived from rotation to simple structure were highly reliable, 0.95 and 0.93, respectively, and moderately correlated (r=0.71). Average scores on both scales increased significantly with level of deprivation, and the Factor 1 scale was significantly higher than the Factor 2 scale at all levels. Factor 1 scale items reflected primarily intention and desire to smoke, and anticipation of pleasure from smoking. Factor 2 scale items were comprised primarily of anticipation of relief from negative affect and nicotine withdrawal, and urgent and overwhelming desire to smoke.