Abstract
The objectives of study 1 were to use expert opinion to identify the limitations of the Health Anxiety Inventory – Short Version (SHAI) for administration in medical populations and to develop an adapted version for medical populations. The objective of the second study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the adapted measure. A three-round Delphi study method was used in study 1. Eight experts with experience of living with a physical health condition and four experts by profession working within physical health were invited to review the SHAI. Study 2 employed a cross-sectional mixed methods questionnaire design. Individuals with multiple sclerosis (n=115), myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (n=84) and chronic pain (n=116) were invited to complete a battery of questionnaires via an online survey. The adapted version of the SHAI for Medical Populations (HAI-M) consisted of 12 items scoring from 0 to 3, reaching high consensus (75% agreement) for administration in medical populations. All groups rated the HAI-M as more acceptable than the SHAI and no significant differences were found on HAI-M scores between clinical groups. The HAI-M demonstrated high internal consistency (.875), good test–retest reliability (.812) and convergent validity (.801). Divergent validity was also acceptable (.515). This study provides preliminary evidence for a psychometrically sound health anxiety screening tool for use in medical populations.
Key learning aims
(1) To gain insights into the presentation of health anxiety in medical conditions.
(2) To consider the validity and reliability of using questionnaire measures developed using analogue sample norms, and how this may affect measurement when used in different context and settings.
(3) The process of systematically adapting, developing and testing standardised measures for use in special subgroups.
Key learning aims
(1) To gain insights into the presentation of health anxiety in medical conditions.
(2) To consider the validity and reliability of using questionnaire measures developed using analogue sample norms, and how this may affect measurement when used in different context and settings.
(3) The process of systematically adapting, developing and testing standardised measures for use in special subgroups.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e8 |
| Journal | The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist |
| Volume | 18 |
| Early online date | 11 Feb 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Feb 2025 |
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, J.C., upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to them containing information that could compromise research participant privacy and consent.Acknowledgements
The study authors would like to extend thanks to all who contributed to this project including participants. The authors would also like to thank Mary-Jane Marffy for help with data analysis and Rita De Nicola and Chloe Lee for help in preparing the manuscript.Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Keywords
- Delphi study
- Health Anxiety Inventory
- health anxiety
- questionnaire development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology