Narrative simulation of financial scarcity: Effects on delay discounting, cigarette craving, and cigarette demand in adults who smoke cigarettes.

Financial scarcity is associated with greater delay discounting and cigarette smoking. In experimental research, narrative simulation of scarcity increases delay discounting, but the effects of simulated scarcity on smoking behaviors have not yet been examined. In an online survey study, we examined the effects of scarcity narratives on delay discounting, cigarette craving, and behavioral economic demand for cigarettes. Adults who smoke cigarettes were randomized to read brief narratives describing either scarcity (n = 102) or neutral (control; n = 105) income conditions and imagine they were experiencing the conditions described. Participants then completed assessments of delay discounting (adjusting-delay task), cigarette craving (Questionnaire on Smoking Urges-Brief), cigarette demand (purchase task), and affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form). Adjusting for affect, the scarcity group showed higher delay discounting (p < .001) and higher overall craving (p < .001). Moreover, delay discounting partially mediated the observed effect scarcity on craving (p < .001). No statistically significant group differences in cigarette demand were observed (all p values > .05). Exploratory analyses examining the two-factor latent structure of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges showed that delay discounting partially mediated the effects of narrative group on craving Factor 1 (anticipated positive reinforcement) and fully mediated the effects of group on craving Factor 2 (anticipated relief from negative affect). Together, these findings show that narrative simulation of financial scarcity increases cigarette craving and identifies delay discounting as a mechanism of action in this effect. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).