Smoking expectancies in smokers and never smokers: an examination of the smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Spanish

The factor structure of smoking expectancies was examined in daily smokers and never smokers. Participants completed the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Spanish (SCQ-Spanish; [Cepeda-Benito, A., & Reig-Ferrer, A. (2000). Smoking consequences questionnaire-Spanish. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 14, 219-230.]). Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the eight-factor structure of the SCQ-Spanish was replicated in smokers only. Except for beliefs about negative-health outcome expectancies, daily smoking rate was strongly associated with all types of smoking outcome expectancies. In comparison to men, women smokers reported greater weight control and negative-affect reduction consequences from smoking. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a four-factor structure for the scores of never smokers. The findings represent not only the first cross-validation of the SCQ-Spanish but they were also congruent with the notion that first-hand smoking experience is not necessary for the development of multifaceted smoking expectancies. Nonetheless, the finding of a more complex factors structure in smokers than in never smokers is in line with the hypothesis that drug-use expectancies become more complex with drug-use experience.     

Smoking Consequences Questionnaire: Factor Structure and Invariance among Smokers and Non-Smokers

Background. The Smoking Consequences Questionnaire was developed to assess smoking expectancies, which have been found to be linked to the initiation and maintenance of smoking. Objectives. The purpose of the current study was to examine the factor structure of a modified brief version of the instrument in Greek and to test its invariance between groups of smokers and nonsmokers. Methods. Participants were 813 Greek-Cypriot university students (524 females; Mean age =20.94, SD?=?2.70) who completed this brief version of the instrument translated into Greek using the forward-backward method. Results. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure: Negative Consequences, Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement and Appetite/Weight Control. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis indicated configural, metric and partial scalar invariance of the instrument in groups of smokers and nonsmokers. Comparison of the mean difference in the invariant factors showed significant difference in appetite/weight control mean scores, whereas mean difference in negative consequences was not significant. Conclusions/Importance. Findings support the four-factor structure of the brief Greek version of the SCQ in a sample of young adults, and factorial invariance between smokers and nonsmokers. More expectancies about appetite/weight control among smokers compared to nonsmokers suggest focusing on this category of smoking expectancies in smoking prevention and cessation programs.     

Modelling the contribution of negative affect,outcome expectancies and metacognitions to cigarette use and nicotine dependence

BackgroundBoth positive smoking outcome expectancies and metacognitions about smoking have been found to be positively associated with cigarette use and nicotine dependence. The goal of this study was to test a model including nicotine dependence and number of daily cigarettes as dependent variables, anxiety and depression as independent variables, and smoking outcome expectancies and metacognitions about smoking as mediators between the independents and dependents.MethodsThe sample consisted of 524 self-declared smokers who scored 3 or above on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND: Uysal et al., 2004).ResultsAnxiety was not associated with either cigarette use or nicotine dependence but was positively associated with all mediators with the exception of stimulation state enhancement and social facilitation. Depression, on the other hand, was found to be positively associated with nicotine dependence (and very weakly to cigarette use) but was not associated with either smoking outcome expectancies or metacognitions about smoking. Only one smoking outcome expectancy (negative affect reduction) was found to be positively associated with nicotine dependence but not cigarette use. Furthermore one smoking outcome expectancy (negative social impression) was found to be positively associated with cigarette use (but not to nicotine dependence). All metacognitions about smoking were found to be positively associated with nicotine dependence. Moreover, negative metacognitions about uncontrollability were found to be positively associated with cigarette use.ConclusionsMetacognitions about smoking appear to be a stronger mediator than smoking outcome expectancies in the relationship between negative affect and cigarette use/nicotine dependence. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Psychometric Properties of a Brief Smoking Consequences Questionnaire for Adults (SCQ-A) Among African American Light Smokers

ABSTRACT

Despite a decline in cigarette smoking over the past few decades, rates remain unacceptably high for certain segments of the population, such as urban African Americans (AAs). AA smokers, on average, smoke fewer cigarettes per day than European American samples; however, AA smokers are less likely to achieve abstinence during a quit attempt. Outcome expectancies have previously been association with cessation outcomes, but prior research has not examined expectancies among treatment-seeking AA light smokers. The 33-item Smoking Consequences Questionnaire–Adult (SCQ-A) was evaluated among 751 AA light smokers (i.e., ≤ 10 cigarettes per day) enrolled in a cessation trial. Exploratory factor analyses replicated the original 10-factor solution. Factors were significantly correlated (r = ?.06–51, P < .001) and associated with expected demographic, psychosocial, and tobacco-related variables. Results provide initial validation of the SCQ-A among AA light smokers seeking cessation treatment and highlight the association of smoking expectancies with other tobacco-related and psychosocial factors in this sample.     

Development and validation of the cigarette smoking consequences looming scale

IntroductionExperimental manipulations intended to alter cognitive appraisals of smoking-related threats may affect cigarette smoking and motivation to quit. However, no previous measure has directly assessed perceptions of smoking-related threats as increasing and coming closer in space and/or time (i.e., “looming”). The current research develops such a measure of dynamic smoking-related threat appraisal: the Cigarette Smoking Consequences Looming Scale (CSCLS).MethodsIn Study 1 (N = 124 daily smokers), the researchers created an initial, scenario-based version of the CSCLS and refined the measure based on factor analysis. In Study 2, 143 daily smokers completed a condensed CSCLS organized around two factors (Physical and Social consequence of smoking). In each study, participants also completed measures of dispositional looming perception, motivation to quit smoking, and smoking outcome expectancies.ResultsThe CSCLS showed strong internal consistency and concurrent validity in that scores on the measure correlated as expected in both studies with a general tendency to perceive threats as looming, outcome expectancies for smoking, and motivation to quit smoking.ConclusionsMeasuring perceptions of smoking-related consequences as looming may provide greater insight into the cognitive factors associated with motivation to quit smoking, which in turn may inform communications about the risks of smoking.     

Intolerance for smoking abstinence among nicotine-deprived,treatment-seeking smokers

IntroductionThe Intolerance for Smoking Abstinence Discomfort Questionnaire (IDQ-S) assesses distress tolerance specific to nicotine withdrawal. Though developed to assess withdrawal-related distress, the IDQ-S has not been validated among nicotine-deprived, treatment-seeking smokers. The present study extended previous research by examining the predictive utility of the IDQ-S among abstinent, motivated-to-quit smokers.MethodsAbstinent, treatment-seeking smokers completed the IDQ-S Withdrawal Intolerance and Lack of Cognitive Coping scales, assessments of nicotine dependence and reinforcement, and smoking history at baseline. At baseline and at 24-h, 2-week, and 1-month follow-up, participants completed a smoking cue-reactivity task (collection of cue-elicited craving and negative affect), and assessments of cigarettes per day (CPD; daily diaries at follow-up), carbon monoxide (CO), and cotinine.ResultsGreater IDQ-S Withdrawal Intolerance was associated with younger age, higher nicotine dependence and reinforcement, and less smoking years (ps < .03). Greater IDQ-S Lack of Cognitive Coping was associated with less education, lower nicotine dependence and reinforcement, higher baseline CPD, and no prior quit attempts (ps < .04). IDQ-S scales did not significantly predict cue-elicited craving or negative affect, CPD, CO, or cotinine levels at follow-up (ps > .10).ConclusionsWithdrawal intolerance and lack of cognitive coping did not predict smoking outcomes among nicotine-deprived, treatment-seeking smokers, but were associated with smoking characteristics, including nicotine dependence and reinforcement. Withdrawal intolerance and lack of cognitive coping may not be especially useful in predicting craving and smoking behavior, but future studies should replicate the present study's findings and assess the stability of the IDQ-S before forming firm conclusions about its predictive utility.     

Smoking outcome expectancies: A multiple indicator and multiple cause (MIMIC) model

The present study was carried out to assess the construct validity of the short form of the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire, a brief measure of smoking outcome expectancies on a large sample of adolescents (N = 953). The results of this study support a four-factor structure of smoking outcome expectancies, including expectancies of negative consequences, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and appetite–weight control, as well as the assertion that gender, smoking status and sensation-seeking have a distinct pattern of associations with the four outcome expectancy factors.     

Development of the Stimulant Medication Outcome Expectancies Questionnaire for College Students

Non-prescribed use of stimulant medication among college students has become a public health concern. Although it has been well-established that outcome expectancies play a prominent role in initiation and maintenance of drinking behaviors it is unknown if and how outcome expectancies influence non-prescribed use of stimulant medication among college students. The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable scale that assesses outcome expectancies of non-prescribed use of stimulant medication. A 16-item Stimulant Medication Outcome Expectancy Questionnaire (SMOEQ) was created using qualitative information given by introductory psychology students regarding their expectancies about misusing stimulant medication. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a three-factor solution: the Academic factor, Recreational factor, and Negative Physiological Effects factor, respectively. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the factor structure identified in the EFA and indicated a modest fit of the hypothesized factor structure to the data. Correlation analyses provided support for the internal consistency and construct validity of the SMOEQ.     

Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers

We assessed smoking withdrawal symptoms over a six-day period of abstinence among 21 female college students who were daily cigarette smokers [M = 20.3 (4.4); cigarettes per day] and were in the preparation stage of change for quitting smoking. We predicted that reported withdrawal symptoms would covary with baseline depression scores and baseline outcome expectancies for cigarette smoking as a mood management tool. Depression scores at baseline significantly predicted mood-related smoking withdrawal symptoms of Depression–Dejection and Vigor from the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Smoking outcome expectancies for relief of negative affect measured at baseline significantly predicted symptoms of Confusion–Bewilderment and Anger–Hostility. Neither baseline depression nor baseline smoking expectancies for mood management predicted smoking withdrawal symptoms measured by the Smoking Withdrawal Questionnaire (SWQ; [Shiffman, S. M., & Jarvik, M. E. (1976). Smoking withdrawal symptoms in two weeks of abstinence. Psychopharmacology, 50, 35–39]). Results imply that women smokers with baseline depressive symptomatology and expectancies for smoking to relieve negative mood endure greater abstinence-induced mood disturbance, but similar levels of other smoking withdrawal symptoms during initial abstinence. These results may inform smoking cessation efforts.     

Additional validity evidence for the PROMIS Smoking Assessment Toolkit

IntroductionThe Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Smoking Initiative has developed six item banks for assessing smoking behaviors and biopsychosocial correlates of smoking among daily and nondaily adult cigarette smokers. This paper presents new validity evidence for the item banks including correlations of the item banks to the existing legacy measures of smoking (Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU), and the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM)).MethodsUsing data from a follow-up sample (N = 491) and a community sample (N = 369) of adult daily and nondaily smokers, we replicated the findings from Edelen et al. (2014a) and examined the correlations of legacy smoking measures with the new item bank scores.ResultsPreliminary validity findings were largely replicated with the new data. Correlations among the banks are moderate and bank score associations with measures of smoking behavior, quitting history, and other PROMIS measures follow expected patterns (e.g., nicotine dependence is most strongly associated with smoking quantity and time to first cigarette of the day; health and psychosocial expectancies are most related to quitting recency and interest). Correlations of bank scores with legacy measures are moderate to strong. The PROMIS nicotine dependence scores were most strongly associated with the legacy instruments.ConclusionsThese analyses provide strong evidence for the validity of the PROMIS Smoking item banks in two independent samples.     

Expectancies for smoking cessation among drug-involved smokers: Implications for clinical practice

Drug-involved smokers may be less motivated to quit smoking because they expect smoking cessation to occasion adverse outcomes (e.g., exacerbation of drug use). Non-treatment-seeking adult smokers from the community (N = 507) reported drug involvement, expectancies for smoking abstinence via the Smoking Abstinence Questionnaire (SAQ), and motivation to quit smoking (desire to quit and abstinence goal). Mediation analyses evaluated the indirect effects of binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, other stimulant, opiate, and barbiturate/other sedative involvement on motivation to quit smoking through the SAQ Adverse Outcomes scale. Adverse outcomes expectancies accounted for a reduced desire to quit smoking and a lower likelihood of endorsing a goal of complete smoking abstinence among those involved with binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, other stimulants, opiates, and barbiturates/other sedatives. Drug-involved smokers' greater expectancies for adverse outcomes upon quitting smoking may deter smoking quit attempts. Interventions are encouraged to counteract the notion that smoking cessation jeopardizes sobriety.     

Linkages between cigarette smoking outcome expectancies and negative emotional vulnerability

The present investigation examined whether smoking outcome expectancies, as measured by the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire (SCQ; [Brandon, T.H., & Baker, T.B., (1991). The Smoking Consequences Questionnaire: The subjective expected utility of smoking in college students. Psychological Assessment, 3, 484-491.]), were incrementally related to emotional vulnerability factors among an adult sample of 202 daily cigarette smokers (44.6% women; M(age)=23.78 years, SD=9.69 years). After controlling for cigarettes smoked/day, past 30-day marijuana use, current alcohol consumption, and coping style, negative reinforcement/negative affect reduction outcome expectancies were significantly associated with greater levels of negative affectivity, emotional dysregulation, and anxiety sensitivity. The observed effects for negative reinforcement/negative affect reduction also were independent of shared variance with other outcome expectancies. Negative personal consequences outcome expectancies were significantly and incrementally related to anxiety sensitivity, but not negative affectivity or emotional dysregulation. Findings are discussed in terms of the role of negative reinforcement/negative affect reduction smoking outcome expectancies and clinically-relevant negative emotional vulnerability for better understanding cigarette smoking-negative mood problems.     

The Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire—Italian Version: Analysis of psychometric properties

The Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire is a quick and reliable scale assessing the expected consequences of short-term nicotine abstinence. The present study sought to translate the Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire to Italian and assess its psychometric properties. A sample of 366 daily smokers (59.3% female; mean (±standard deviation) age = 34.0 ± 11.2 years; mean (±standard deviation) cigarettes smoked per day = 13.2 ± 7.5; mean (±standard deviation) years of smoking = 11.3 ± 9.2 years) completed the Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire and a series of rating scales measuring nicotine dependence, alcohol use, anxiety, and depressive symptoms at baseline and after 3 months (retest). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. The authors evaluated the factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity. Factor analysis identified a 3-factor solution and confirmatory factor analysis suggested a 3-factor model best fits the data. The Italian version of the Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency and good test–retest reliability. There also was evidence of convergent validity and discriminant validity. The Italian version of the Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire showed good psychometric properties although the factor structure differs slightly from the English-language version of the scale (i.e., 3 versus 4 factor model).     

Development and Validation of a Smoking Expectancies Measure for Adolescents Seeking to Quit Smoking

Background: A more comprehensive understanding of factors that affect smoking cessation outcomes among adolescents may help enhance treatment interventions. One promising but underexplored factor that may influence cessation success is teens’ specific expectancies or beliefs about smoking outcomes. The present study evaluated the validity and reliability of a new measure of expectancies and its association with cessation outcomes among 762 adolescent smokers participating in studies of the American Lung Association's Not On Tobacco cessation program. Methods: Self-report questionnaires were collected prior to and following participation in a smoking cessation program. Self-reported cigarette use was verified with expired-air carbon monoxide. A multistep exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and validity analyses were performed. Results: Four theoretically related yet empirically independent factors were identified by the Smoking Expectancies Questionnaire (SEQ): (1) Positive Reinforcement, (2) Negative Reinforcement—Emotional Regulation, (3) Negative Reinforcement—Addiction and Withdrawal, and (4) Negative Outcomes/Risk. These factors could be subsumed by a single SEQ factor that reflected an overall concept of smoking expectancies relevant for adolescent smoking cessation. An overall SEQ Function score reflecting the balance between positive and negative expectancies predicted both preintervention cigarettes per day and cessation outcomes. Conclusions: A single, overall SEQ Function score may prove useful for understanding the associations among individual, social, and contextual factors in predicting treatment outcomes. Additionally, study findings may assist with modifying smoking expectancies among cessation program participants, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes with diverse youth smoking populations.     

Expectancy for negative affect relief due to smoking may not be predictive under acute mood situations

Smoking behavior may be more persistent among those who expect that smoking will relieve negative affect (NA). Assessing smoking expectancies temporally close to mood situations could enhance the predictive value of that assessment. Dependent smokers (n = 71; 43 male, 28 female) participated in five laboratory sessions, each involving mood induction. The NA relief scale of the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (SCQ-A), a very common measure of smoking expectancies during hypothetical situations, was assessed during initial screening. The SCQ-A was compared with a modified acute version administered each session, in which items asked about immediate expectancy for NA relief by smoking "right now" (termed Immediate Negative Affect Relief, or INAR). Actual NA relief due to smoking was measured each session by change on the NA scale of the Diener & Emmons Mood Form. The five sessions (counterbalanced) involved three different negative mood tasks, the negative mood condition of overnight smoking abstinence, and neutral mood (control). Generalized estimating equations showed that temporal proximity to the mood situation slightly enhanced the ability of expectancy to predict actual change in NA due to smoking, as the interaction with condition was significant for the INAR but marginal for the SCQ-A. However, the acute INAR predicted NA relief due to smoking only after overnight smoking abstinence and not during the other specific mood induction conditions, contrary to expectations, while the SCQ-A was not significant during any of the individual conditions. In sum, assessment of expectancy for NA relief may be of limited use in predicting actual NA relief from smoking during a current mood situation, aside from NA due to overnight abstinence.     

An examination of smoking outcome expectancies, smoking motives and trait worry in a sample of treatment-seeking smokers

The present study examined the role of trait worry in predicting smoking-based cognitive processes (motives, expectancies, and beliefs about quitting) in a sample of 286 treatment-seeking, daily smokers (43.7% female; M(age)=37.25; SD=12.83). Consistent with prediction, trait worry was significantly and uniquely associated with smoking outcome expectancies and motives pertaining to negative affect reduction after controlling for other relevant variables such as negative affectivity, gender, smoking rate and tobacco-related disease. Trait worry also was significantly independently related to greater perceived barriers to quitting smoking. The significant effects remained consistent when adjusted for axis I psychopathology. These findings provide initial evidence of the theoretical and clinical importance of trait worry with regard to tobacco-related motives, outcome expectancies, and beliefs about quitting smoking.     

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence

This study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to compare the relative fit of the following competing measurement models of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND): a single factor; two correlated factors (morning smoking and daytime smoking); and two correlated factors with one-item cross-loading. A single factor five-item version and a single factor four-item version of the FTND were also tested with the knowledge that these were not nested within the original six-item model. The subjects consisted of 231 smokers admitted for pre-surgical assessment at a large urban teaching hospital. The results confirm the findings of previously published exploratory factor analyses (EFA) suggesting that the items of the FTND are best modeled as two correlated factors with a cross-loading. Given the origin of the FTND items as measures of physical dependence, the degree to which it has undergone largely data-driven modifications, and the confirmed complex structure of the items, it is recommended that researchers re-examine the extent to which the scale adequately represents current conceptualizations of nicotine dependence.     

Development and psychometric properties of the tobacco and nicotine consequences scale (TANCS) to screen for cigarette and e-cigarette misuse in community settings

IntroductionTo date, there are no existing measures of tobacco or nicotine misuse (i.e., negative consequences). The goal of the present study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a novel scale, the Tobacco and Nicotine Consequences Scale (TANCS) to assess tobacco and nicotine misuse among cigarette smokers and e-cig users.MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected data using an anonymous survey to assess tobacco and nicotine use expectancies, behaviors, and negative consequences of use. Of the 607 participants who attempted the survey, 491 participants (80.8%) completed the TANCS items. A split-half validation method was used to assess the structure and validity of the TANCS using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsThe exploratory factor analysis produced a five-factor solution, and the confirmatory factor analysis supported the factor structure with results providing an excellent fit to the data (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.994, RMSEA = 0.015, SRMR = 0.052). A total of 17 items were retained. The overall scale showed excellent reliability (α = 0.91) with subscale alphas between 0.68 and 0.90.The scale was significantly correlated to nicotine dependence and smoking expectancies, measured by the Fagerstrom Test Cigarette Dependence and Smoking Effects Questionnaire, respectively, suggesting the TANCS is a valid measure of tobacco and nicotine misuse. Total and subscale scores differed between participants preferring cigarettes or e-cigarettes.ConclusionsThe TANCS is a brief, reliable measure of tobacco and nicotine misuse that is correlated to tobacco and nicotine expectancies, use, and dependence. Future work should explore the test-retest reliability and incremental validity of the scale for tobacco use disorder.     

Distress intolerance and withdrawal severity among daily smokers: The role of smoking abstinence expectancies

BackgroundDistress intolerance (DI), the perceived inability to withstand distress, is implicated in cigarette smoking maintenance. Greater DI may contribute to anticipation of negative outcomes from smoking abstinence, which in turn could contribute to withdrawal symptom severity. The current study aimed to evaluate (1) the association between DI and acute abstinence expectancies and (2) the potential mediating role of abstinence expectancies in the relationship between DI and withdrawal symptom severity.MethodParticipants (n = 444) were daily smokers who reported at least one prior quit attempt, participating in a larger online study on distress and smoking. DI, subjective nicotine withdrawal, and smoking abstinence expectancies were assessed using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS), and Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Questionnaire (SAEQ).ResultsDTS was significantly negatively associated with SAEQ, specifically Negative Mood (r = −0.37, p < .001), Somatic Symptoms (r = −0.47, p < .001), and Harmful Consequences (r = −0.59, p < .001) subscales, but was not associated with Positive Expectancies subscale (r = 0.05, p = .31). Results indicated a significant effect of DTS on withdrawal symptom severity via SAEQ. Follow-up analyses indicated that the indirect effects were driven specifically by SAEQ Negative Mood and Harmful Consequences subscales.DiscussionDI is related to more negative abstinence expectancies, particularly affective aspects of abstinence, which may contribute to the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This study provides initial evidence of a specific cognitive process that may explain why DI contributes to heightened subjective experience of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.     

Abstinence-related expectancies predict smoking withdrawal effects: implications for possible causal mechanisms

Rationale

Despite the decades-long emphasis on withdrawal in leading models of addiction, the causal mechanisms driving smoking withdrawal effects are not well known. This gap in the knowledge base has stalled theory and treatment development for smoking dependence.

Objectives

As cognitive factors have been largely neglected as predictors of withdrawal, the current study sought to examine how smokers’ abstinence-related expectancies relate to withdrawal symptomatology.

Methods

Adult smokers (N?=?180; ≥10 cigarettes/day) participated in two counterbalanced experimental sessions involving either 16 h of abstinence or smoking as usual. At baseline, participants completed three withdrawal-related scales of the Smoking Abstinence Questionnaire (Withdrawal, Optimistic Outcomes, and Weight Gain scales), a self-report measure of smokers’ abstinence-related expectancies. During experimental sessions, participants completed a number of instruments that covered the range of smoking withdrawal effects (i.e., negative affect, urge/craving to smoke, diminished positive affect, concentration difficulty, hunger, and physiological symptoms).

Results

Even after controlling for the influence of demographic characteristics and cigarette dependence, smokers’ abstinence-related expectancies were meaningful predictors of abstinence-induced changes in various withdrawal symptoms (mean adjusted standardized β?=?0.22). Stronger expectancies for withdrawal and weight gain predicted more severe withdrawal effects, whereas stronger expectancies for optimistic outcomes predicted less severe withdrawal effects.

Conclusions

These findings are consistent with the notion that expectancies actively shape future experience and are the first to support the suggestion that smokers’ abstinence-related expectancies may be causal agents of withdrawal symptomatology. Future research is required to more conclusively determine whether abstinence-related expectancies mold withdrawal effects.