The assessment of craving in smokers with a German version of the "Questionnaire on Smoking Urges" (QSU-G)

Background: The "Questionnaire on smoking urges" (QSU) was developed by Tif fany and Drobes (1991) to assess craving for smoking. Comparable German que stionnaires do not exist. Objective and methods: The QSU was translated int o German (QSU-G) and its factor structure, reliability, and validity were e xamined using data of 129 smokers. Results: As for the English version, Sca le I of the QSU-G appeared to embody desire and intention to smoke, as well as anticipation of positive outcome, while Scale 2 was in line with an exp ectancy that smoking would relieve negative affect and nicotine withdrawal together with an urgent and overwhelming desire to smoke. Both scales were reliable (Cronbach's alpha greater than or equal to .87). Validity of the s cales was reflected Ln their sensitivity to manipulations of smoking and de privation, Conclusions: We conclude that craving may not be a unidimensiona l contruct but may comprise at least two processes which may be assessed by the QSU-G.