A Q-methodological investigation into the meanings of cigarette consumption

Moss, Timothy; Bould, Emma

Abstract

This Q-methodological study identified shared subjective explanations of smoking among non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers, to consider whether some representations were protective or facilitated quitting. Four factors were identified: named independent addiction; independent non-addiction; anti-smoking; and social addiction. The first two factors were dominated by current and ex-smokers, and the last two by non-smokers. Differences emerged on the use of the 'addiction' concept, the use of smoking as a tool for affect management, the role of image manipulation and the general positive and negative perceptions of smoking. The functional use of the different shared smoking representations is discussed. Copyright © 2009 SAGE Publications.

Citation

Moss, T., & Bould, E. (2009). A Q-methodological investigation into the meanings of cigarette consumption. Journal of Health Psychology, 14(1), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308097941

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 12, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Health Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1359-1053
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7277
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 36-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308097941
• Keywords: Q-methodology, smoking, subjective representation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/999914
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105308097941
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This article © SAGE Publications 2009