A validation study of the Whitely Index, the Illness Attitude Scales, and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale in general medical and general practice patients

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Whitely Index (WI), the Illness Attitude Scales (IAS), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS). The study population consisted of 130 general medical outpatients, 113 general practice patients, and 204 subjects from the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosomatic research 1996, Vol.40 (1), p.95-104
Main Authors: Speckens, Anne E.M., Spinhoven, Philip, Sloekers, Peter P.A., Bolk, Jan H., van Hemert, Albert M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Family Practice
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Health care utilisation
Health Services - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Hypochondriasis
Hypochondriasis - psychology
Illness and personality
Illness Attitude Scales
Male
Middle Aged
Personality, behavior and health
Prospective Studies
Psychology and medicine
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Scales
Somatosensory Amplification Scale
Validity
Whitely Index
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Summary:The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Whitely Index (WI), the Illness Attitude Scales (IAS), and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS). The study population consisted of 130 general medical outpatients, 113 general practice patients, and 204 subjects from the general population. The factorial structure of the IAS appeared to consist of two subscales, namely Health Anxiety and Illness Behaviour. The internal consistency and stability of the three questionnaires were satisfactory, and their scores were highly intercorrelated. Scores on the WI and Health Anxiety subscale of the IAS declined significantly from general medical outpatients, through general practice patients to subjects from the general population. This might imply that medical care utilisation is related to hypochondriasis. A prospective study is needed to determine whether health anxiety contributes to the decision to seek medical care or the consultation of a general practitioner or consultant gives rise to worry about possible illness.
ISSN:0022-3999
1879-1360
DOI:10.1016/0022-3999(95)00561-7