A Study of the Dimensionality of the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives and Dependence Motive Profiles Among African American Daily Smokers

Abstract

Introduction: African American (AA) smokers consume fewer cigarettes per day (CPD) and are less likely to report nicotine withdrawal, yet quit smoking at lower rates than White smokers. Racial differences in dependence-related factors suggest that facets of dependence may be differentially salient to the maintenance of smoking across groups. An important step toward understanding dependence among AA smokers is the evaluation of the psychometric properties of measures within this population. The present study describes validation of the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Dependence Motives (B-WISDM) and derivation of dependence motive profiles in AA daily smokers. Methods: The study sample comprised AA daily smokers participating in the Kick It at Swope IV randomized controlled trial of varenicline. The factor structure of the B-WISDM was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Dependence motive profiles were derived using factor-mixture latent profile analysis (LPA). Profile membership was regressed on clinical characteristics to validate and characterize the obtained profiles. Results: The 11-factor CFA model resulted in an improper solution, requiring the elimination of the Tolerance factor. A 10-factor model had satisfactory fit. Multiple pairs of factors were highly collinear (r > .80). The LPA of the 10-factor model yielded a 3-profile model that provided the best fit and no invalid parameter estimates. The profiles could be distinguished by factors related to compulsive smoking, or primary dependence motives (PDM), Taste, and Affiliative Attachment factor means. Light smoking ( .80). The LPA of the 10-factor model yielded a 3-profile model that provided the best fit and no invalid parameter estimates. The profiles could be distinguished by factors related to compulsive smoking, or primary dependence motives (PDM), Taste, and Affiliative Attachment factor means. Light smoking (< 10 cpd) was associated with membership in profiles with lower PDM scores and higher Taste and Affiliative Attachment scores (OR = 2.4, p = .02). Conclusions: This study supports the psychometric adequacy of the B-WISDM for AA daily smokers. However, the high degree of collinearity observed among multiple pairs of factors suggest the B-WISDM may benefit from reducing the number of subscales in the measure. The profile analysis has implications for understanding dependence motivation among AA smokers and the potential treatment needs of particular subgroups.