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Within a computer-assisted smoking prevention and cessation program, 78 high school students completed a modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire twice during a two-month time period. Although analysis of the instrument revealed sufficient stability, future research should include the development of items that better reflect adolescent smoking patterns. (MKA)

This article examines the psychometric properties of instruments designed to measure decision-making, situational smoking temptations, and the level smoking readiness among sample of adolescents. Results verified the relationship between all three constructs and indicate that the measurement instruments are valid for use with adolescents.

The adult version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire has been adapted for use among adolescents. The need for more research into the measurement of nicotine dependence among adolescents is highlighted.

A study was conducted to examine the integration of adolescent cigarette smoking acquisition and cessation into a single nine-stages-of-change continuum using the transtheoretical model of change framework. Results show that a few of the never smokers were planning to try smoking and half of the current smokers were contemplating quitting. Never smokers were most tempted to try smoking when they anticipated that smoking would help reduce negative and increase positive mood. Findings indicated that these temptations were significantly reduced among former smokers.

The transtheoretical model of change serves as a tool to explain both the acquisition and cessation of alcohol use among adolescents. The Decisional Balance and Stage of Change constructs have been used to further explain adolescents' immoderate use of alcohol. A Decisional Balance Inventory was developed using the Pros and Cons of alcohol use. This approach could provide the basis for a new intervention strategy.

A modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ), suggests that high nicotine dependence levels among adolescents is possibly the reason for a high percentage of failure in adolescents smoking cessation programs. A study of vocational-technical students reveals a high FTQ mean score of 4.27, which is comparable to highly dependent adults. Since the use of FTQ is feasible among adolescents, it should be used to identify the possible subsets among adolescents who can benefit from nicotine replacement treatments. Smoking cessation treatment can be successful with a biopsychological approach.

In a two-year investigation of cigarette smoking incidence in a population of Minnesota adolescents, the perceived smoking behavior of friends at baseline was a strong predictor of smoking onset. Additional predictors included: siblings' smoking behavior, parents' education level, and seven psychosocial scales including independence and rebelliousness. Smoking prevention strategies which teach youth to cope with social influences are well founded. Results also indicate that younger adolescents may yet be dissuaded from beginning smoking by knowledge of the health consequences of smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of brief group interventions, the positive choices intervention (PCI) and a standard intervention (SI), to increase condom use and intention to use condoms and to change condom use attitudes and beliefs. The design of the study was a randomized comparative trial. Participants were 347 heterosexual African American crack cocaine users living with HIV infection. Data were collected at intake and at three and nine months after intake. Behavioral and sociocognitive data were collected. Although both brief interventions achieved positive results, there were significant differences in outcomes between the interventions groups. The mean number of sex partners was significantly lower in the PCI group at three months. The proportion of those assigned to the PCI reporting sex with a paid partner significantly decreased, while the proportion disclosing their serostatus to their partners increased. There were no significant differences on these measures in the SI group. Significant time effects were found on measures of condom use, condom use attitudes, and self-efficacy beliefs. These measures significantly increased from intake to one month for both groups. One significant time-by-group effect was found. The measure of situational self-efficacy significantly increased in the PCI group, but not the SI group. Results also showed significant time-by-time effects. Mean condom use, intention to use condoms, attitudes, and condom use self-efficacy beliefs showed significant difference between three and nine months. However, there was no clear pattern of change. Findings suggest that brief group interventions designed to reduce HIV can help heterosexual drug users living with HIV infection increase condom use and intention to use condoms and change condom use attitudes and beliefs. A significant time-by-group effect was observed only for situational self-efficacy, suggesting limited additional efficacy of the PCI intervention. Given similar positive findings between groups, more research is needed to determine which components of brief interventions produce changes in motivations and risk behaviors.