C. Amanda Schweizer

A prospective study of the Acquired Preparedness Model: the effects of impulsivity and expectancies on smoking initiation in college students.

This study reports on a prospective test of the Acquired Preparedness Model, which posits that impulsivity influences cigarette smoking through the formation of more positive and fewer negative expectancies about smoking effects. College freshman never-smokers (n = 400; 45% male) completed a baseline interview and quarterly online follow-up assessments for 15 months after baseline. Structural equation modeling indicated that the effects of the impulsivity components of sensation seeking and negative urgency on risk of smoking initiation were mediated by expectancies for positive and negative reinforcement from smoking, respectively. Expectancies about negative consequences from smoking predicted initiation but did not mediate the effects of sensation seeking or negative urgency. Findings are consistent with the Acquired Preparedness Model and suggest that heightened impulsivity is associated with heightened expectancies for reinforcement from smoking, and thus with greater risk for smoking initiation.

Do Expectancies for Reinforcement from Smoking Change After Smoking Initiation

Expectancies are important predictors of smoking behavior. Recent research suggests that expectancies are not stable and vary across internal and external states and levels of cigarette consumption. Expectancies may also vary between individuals as a function of temperamental characteristics such as behavioral undercontrol (BU). Although pre-initiation expectancies have been linked to subsequent smoking behaviors, no study has assessed the effect of smoking initiation on expectancies. The present study was designed to test the hypotheses that both positive (PRE) and negative (NRE) reinforcement expectancies would increase following initiation, and that these changes would be moderated by BU. College students were interviewed 12-15 months apart. Those who initiated smoking between assessments (n = 69) were included in the present study. Linear mixed models showed a significant increase in PRE but not NRE from pre- to postinitiation. The relationship between NRE and time was moderated by BU, such that higher BU was associated with significantly larger post-initiation increases in NRE. Findings suggest that PRE and NRE change significantly following experience with smoking. Furthermore, undercontrolled, impulsive individuals may be particularly vulnerable to smoking with the intention of alleviating aversive states.

Examining the stability of young-adult alcohol and tobacco co-use: A latent transition analysis

Although use of both alcohol and tobacco is common among college-attending young adults, little is known about the stability of co-use over time. Difficulties in studying change in these behaviors may reflect inconsistencies in how smoking in particular is categorized. This study used longitudinal data, gathered at three time points three months apart, to examine cigarette and alcohol use profiles and the stability of profile structure and membership. Undergraduate student smokers’ (N = 320) past 30-day alcohol and cigarette use was assessed using the timeline followback procedure. Smoking (number of cigarettes and number of smoking days) and drinking (number of drinks and number of binges) were entered into a latent transition analysis (LTA) to identify the latent taxonomic structure within the sample, and determine the probability of movement between groups over time. A three-profile solution emerged at each time point. The LTA probabilities highlighted both progression and reduction in the lower-use groups. Overall, findings revealed notable changes in tobacco and alcohol use behaviors over the span of six months, affecting both profile structures and individual membership status. This suggests that among young adults both tobacco and alcohol use are temporally unstable behaviors, particularly among those using at lower levels.

A Prospective Study of the Effects of the DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA Polymorphism and Impulsivity on Smoking Initiation

This study tested whether DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA genotype predicted smoking initiation and subsequent use, and effects were mediated by sensation seeking and negative urgency. Between 2009 and 2012, college never smokers (n = 387) completed six assessments over 15 months; those who reported smoking were classified as initiators. Logistic regression indicated that the A1 allele was associated with initiation (p = .003). This effect was partially mediated by sensation seeking and negative urgency. Effects were stronger in Asian Americans. Findings have implications for improving prevention by including elements focused on urges to seek positive or negative reinforcement. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Social Facilitation Expectancies for Smoking: Psychometric Properties of a New Measure

Abstract Objective: Expectancies about social outcomes for smoking are relevant to college student smokers, who frequently report “social smoking.” A new measure, the Social Facilitation Expectancies (SFE) scale, was developed to assess these beliefs. Participants: The SFE was administered to undergraduate college student smokers (N = 1,096; study completed in May 2011). Methods: Items were scored on a 5-point scale with a summed total score. The sample was randomly split and principle axis factoring and confirmatory factor analysis applied to determine scale structure. The structure was tested across sex and smoking groups and validation analyses were conducted. Results: A 9-item, 1-factor scale was replicated within each group. Higher SFE scores were observed among those with greater smoking experience and higher scores were associated with greater endorsement of other smoking-related beliefs. Conclusions: These preliminary findings provide support for the sound psychometric properties of this measure for use with young adult college students.