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The Prototypes of Tobacco Users Scale (POTUS) for Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Use: Development and Validation

Author

Listed:
  • Eboneé N. Butler

    (Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA)

  • Marissa G. Hall

    (Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
    Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • May S. Chen

    (Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • Jessica K. Pepper

    (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Hart Blanton

    (Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Noel T. Brewer

    (Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
    Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

Abstract

Endorsing prototypes of cigarette smokers predicts cigarette smoking, but less is known about prototypes of users of other tobacco products. Our study sought to establish the reliability and validity of a measure of prototypes of smokers and e-cigarette users. Participants were from a national survey of smokers and non-smokers ( n = 1414), a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of adult smokers ( n = 2149), and adolescent children of adults in the trial ( n = 112). The Prototypes of Tobacco Users Scale (POTUS) has four positive adjectives (cool, sexy, smart, and healthy) and four negative adjectives (disgusting, unattractive, immature, and inconsiderate) describing cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users. Confirmatory factor analyses identified a two-factor solution. The POTUS demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability in all three samples (median α = 0.85) and good test–retest reliability among adults in the RCT (median r = 0.61, 1–4 weeks follow-up). In the RCT, smokers more often agreed with negative prototypes for smokers than for e-cigarette users (mean = 2.03 vs. 1.67, p < 0.05); negative prototypes at baseline were also associated with more forgoing of cigarettes and making a quit attempt at the end of the trial (Week 4 follow-up). The POTUS may be useful to public health researchers seeking to design interventions that reduce tobacco initiation or cessation through the manipulation of tobacco user prototypes.

Suggested Citation

  • Eboneé N. Butler & Marissa G. Hall & May S. Chen & Jessica K. Pepper & Hart Blanton & Noel T. Brewer, 2020. "The Prototypes of Tobacco Users Scale (POTUS) for Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Use: Development and Validation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6081-:d:401990
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marissa G. Hall & Jessica K. Pepper & Jennifer C. Morgan & Noel T. Brewer, 2016. "Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Kaitlyn E. Brodar & Marissa G. Hall & Eboneé N. Butler & Humberto Parada & Al Stein-Seroussi & Sean Hanley & Noel T. Brewer, 2016. "Recruiting Diverse Smokers: Enrollment Yields and Cost," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Ahmed I. Fathelrahman & Maizurah Omar & Rahmat Awang & K. Michael Cummings & Ron Borland & Ahmad Shalihin Bin Mohd Samin, 2010. "Impact of the New Malaysian Cigarette Pack Warnings on Smokers’ Awareness of Health Risks and Interest in Quitting Smoking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-11, November.
    4. Jieming Zhong & Shuangshuang Cao & Weiwei Gong & Fangrong Fei & Meng Wang, 2016. "Electronic Cigarettes Use and Intention to Cigarette Smoking among Never-Smoking Adolescents and Young Adults: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-9, May.
    5. Pearson, J.L. & Richardson, A. & Niaura, R.S. & Vallone, D.M. & Abrams, D.B., 2012. "E-cigarette awareness, use, and harm perceptions in US adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(9), pages 1758-1766.
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