Validation of the nicotine dependence syndrome scale (NDSS): a criterion-group design contrasting chippers and regular smokers

The nicotine dependence syndrome scale (NDSS) is a new multi-dimensional measure of nicotine dependence, yielding five scores for different aspects of dependence as well as a total score. In this study, we tested the NDSS in a young adult sample (mean age = 24), using an extreme-groups comparison between non-dependent smokers (chippers, n = 123) and regular smokers (n = 130). Scores on each NDSS subscale strongly discriminated between the groups, with the NDSS-total discriminating them almost perfectly. The subscales were generally independent discriminators, demonstrating the discriminant validity of the subscales. NDSS scales also discriminated levels of intake and dependence within the chippers group, suggesting that the scales were sensitive to individual differences even at the very low end of the dependence continuum.