Construct validity analysis of the early smoking experience questionnaire for adolescents

Analysis was undertaken to assess the construct validity of a measure of early smoking experience with a sample of adolescent smokers who had ever tried smoking. The results of this study support a two-factor structure of early smoking experience as well as the assertion that initial smoking experience can be characterized by both unpleasant and pleasant sensations. A cross-structure analysis with related and unrelated constructs supports the convergent and discriminant validity of the measure for an adolescent population. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.