Measurement properties of the Fagerström Test for nicotine dependence adapted for use in an adolescent sample

Abstract

This study uses confirmatory factor analysis to test the factor structure of a modified version of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in an adolescent sample. Specifically, we test the fit of a two-factor model specification as well as a single-factor solution. This study uses methods that are appropriate to the categorical nature of the items making up the FTND and is the first study to examine the measurement properties of the FTND in a large adolescent sample. Both the two-factor and single-factor model specifications achieved acceptable model fit. It should be noted that these study results speak to the dimensionality of the FTND and not to the dimensionality of a general nicotine dependence construct in adolescents. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.