Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 45, Issue 3 , Pages 281-285, September 2009

Psychometric Testing of the Chinese Version of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist in Adolescents

  • Chih-Ling Huang, R.N. Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Chih-Ling Huang, Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, 396 Sec. 1, Chang Jung Road, Kway Jen, Tainan 71101, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Chung-Ping Cheng, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
    • ,
  • Hsi-Hui Lin, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
    • ,
  • Chia-Chen Lu, M.D., M.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital Erlin Branch, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China

Received 24 November 2008; accepted 5 February 2009. published online 11 May 2009.

Abstract 

Purpose

To examine the psychometric properties of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) on a Taiwanese sample. The HONC as a measure of nicotine dependence in adolescents is in worldwide use. Less is known regarding its psychometric properties for a Chinese population.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from January to May 2008 with 373 male adolescent smokers aged 15 to 20 years. The criterion validity of the Chinese HONC was determined using the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and saliva cotinine. Because the responses to the items are dichotomous, the validity and factorial structures were examined using tetrachoric and biserial techniques by PRELIS 2 and LISREL 8.7.

Results

Most of interitem correlations are between 0.3 and 0.7. Each item is highly associated with the full scale (r > .7). The HONC total score is significantly associated with the FTND (r=.58, p < .01) and with saliva cotinine levels (r=.27, p < .05). Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to compare the relative fit of three competing models. The three-correlated factor model has a better fit than other models, according to the cutoff criteria for relatively good fit. The coefficient alpha of the full scale is .83.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the HONC is a reliable and valid measure of tobacco dependence in adolescent smokers. Studies involving female adolescent and younger smokers will be needed to evaluate the applicability of the scales to the different genders and age populations.

Keywords: Nicotine dependence, Validity, Reliability, Adolescent

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PII: S1054-139X(09)00115-3

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.02.012

Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 45, Issue 3 , Pages 281-285, September 2009

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