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. 2016 Mar;18(3):321-9.
doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntv091. Epub 2015 May 10.

Factor Structure and Stability of Smoking-Related Health Beliefs in the National Lung Screening Trial

Annette R Kaufman  1 , Amber R Koblitz  2 , Alexander Persoskie  2 , Rebecca A Ferrer  3 , William M P Klein  2 , Laura A Dwyer  4 , Elyse R Park  5
Affiliations

Factor Structure and Stability of Smoking-Related Health Beliefs in the National Lung Screening Trial

Annette R Kaufman et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Absolute and comparative risk perceptions, worry, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy are important theoretical determinants of tobacco use, but no measures have been validated to ensure the discriminant validity as well as test-retest reliability of these measures in the tobacco context. The purpose of the current study is to examine the reliability and factor structure of a measure assessing smoking-related health cognitions and emotions in a national sample of current and former heavy smokers in the National Lung Screening Trial.

Methods: A sub-study of the National Lung Screening Trial assessed current and former smokers' (age 55-74; N = 4379) self-reported health cognitions and emotions at trial enrollment and at 12-month follow-up. Items were derived from the Health Belief Model and Self-Regulation Model.

Results: An exploratory factor analysis of baseline responses revealed a five-factor structure for former smokers (risk perceptions, worry, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy) and a six-factor structure for current smokers, such that absolute risk and comparative risk perceptions emerged as separate factors. A confirmatory factor analysis of 12-month follow-up responses revealed a good fit for the five latent constructs for former smokers and six latent constructs for current smokers. Longitudinal stability of these constructs was also demonstrated.

Conclusions: This is the first study to examine tobacco-related health cognition and emotional constructs over time in current and former heavy smokers undergoing lung screening. This study found that the theoretical constructs were stable across time and that the factor structure differed based on smoking status (current vs. former).

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Confirmatory factor analysis for former cigarette smokers.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Confirmatory factor analysis for current cigarette smokers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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