Measuring nicotine dependence among youth: a review of available approaches and instruments

This paper reviews issues and concepts related to the measurement of nicoti ne dependence among youth. The primary objectives of this review are to: (1 ) review the measures of nicotine dependence currently being used; and (2) delineate a future research agenda in an attempt to advance the quality of measurement and instrumentation for this important research endeavor. Exist ing measures of nicotine dependence, including formal diagnostic interviews , related withdrawal assessments, brief self-report measures, and single-it em indicators, are described. While formal diagnostic systems have been con sidered the 'gold standard' for evaluating dependence clinically, their spe cific limitations related to use for research purposes are outlined. Each b road class of measure is evaluated in terms of its rationale for use, stren gths and limitations, and the extent to which it has successfully been appl ied to adolescent populations. A research agenda follows in the second sect ion of the paper. In this section, the need for identification and inclusio n of a standard set of optimal dependence measures, for enhancement of curr ent measures, and for the onset of a new and comprehensive measures develop ment program is outlined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.