E Ferguson1. 1. Risk Analysis, Social Processes and Health (RASPH) Group, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, UK. eamonn.ferguson@nottinghham.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A long-standing issue in the health anxiety literature is the extent to which health anxiety is a dimensional or a categorical construct. This study explores this question directly using taxometric procedures. METHOD: Seven hundred and eleven working adults completed an index of health anxiety [the Whiteley Index (WI)] and indicated their current health status. Data from those who were currently healthy (n=501) and receiving no medical treatment were examined using three taxometric procedures: mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum eigenvalue (MAXEIGEN) and L-mode factor analysis (L-MODE). RESULTS: Graphical representations (comparing actual to simulated data) and fit indices indicate that health anxiety is more accurately represented as a dimensional rather than a categorical construct. CONCLUSIONS: Health anxiety is better represented as a dimensional construct. Implications for theory development and clinical practice are examined.
BACKGROUND: A long-standing issue in the health anxiety literature is the extent to which health anxiety is a dimensional or a categorical construct. This study explores this question directly using taxometric procedures. METHOD: Seven hundred and eleven working adults completed an index of health anxiety [the Whiteley Index (WI)] and indicated their current health status. Data from those who were currently healthy (n=501) and receiving no medical treatment were examined using three taxometric procedures: mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum eigenvalue (MAXEIGEN) and L-mode factor analysis (L-MODE). RESULTS: Graphical representations (comparing actual to simulated data) and fit indices indicate that health anxiety is more accurately represented as a dimensional rather than a categorical construct. CONCLUSIONS: Health anxiety is better represented as a dimensional construct. Implications for theory development and clinical practice are examined.
Authors: Heather D Hadjistavropoulos; Jennifer Amy Janzen; Melissa D Kehler; Jocelyne A Leclerc; Donald Sharpe; Michelle D Bourgault-Fagnou Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2011-04-13
Authors: Hajar Mohd Salleh Sahimi; Nazirah Azman; Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar; Tuti Iryani Mohd Daud; Azlin Baharudin; Ahmad Khaldun Ismail; Akramul Zikri Abdul Malek; Mohd Rohaizat Hassan; Azmawati Mohammed Nawi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-03 Impact factor: 3.390