Psychometric Properties of a Brief Smoking Consequences Questionnaire for Adults (SCQ-A) Among African American Light Smokers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite a decline in cigarette smoking over the past few decades, rates remain unacceptably high for certain segments of the population, such as urban African Americans (AAs). AA smokers, on average, smoke fewer cigarettes per day than European American samples; however, AA smokers are less likely to achieve abstinence during a quit attempt. Outcome expectancies have previously been association with cessation outcomes, but prior research has not examined expectancies among treatment-seeking AA light smokers. The 33-item Smoking Consequences Questionnaire–Adult (SCQ-A) was evaluated among 751 AA light smokers (i.e., ≤ 10 cigarettes per day) enrolled in a cessation trial. Exploratory factor analyses replicated the original 10-factor solution. Factors were significantly correlated (r = −.06–51, P < .001) and associated with expected demographic, psychosocial, and tobacco-related variables. Results provide initial validation of the SCQ-A among AA light smokers seeking cessation treatment and highlight the association of smoking expectancies with other tobacco-related and psychosocial factors in this sample.