Abstract
Method
We examined the latent structure of medically unexplained symptoms by means of the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15)
questionnaire (i.e., a popular symptom checklist) and provide support for the construct validity of our model. The data were
analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis in a general population sample (study 1; N = 414) and in a sample of primary care patients (study 2; N = 308). We compared four different latent structure models of medically unexplained symptoms: a general factor model, a correlated
group factor model, a hierarchical model, and a bifactor model.
questionnaire (i.e., a popular symptom checklist) and provide support for the construct validity of our model. The data were
analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis in a general population sample (study 1; N = 414) and in a sample of primary care patients (study 2; N = 308). We compared four different latent structure models of medically unexplained symptoms: a general factor model, a correlated
group factor model, a hierarchical model, and a bifactor model.
Results
In study 1, a bifactor model with one general factor and four independent specific symptom factors (i.e., gastrointestinal,
pain, fatigue, and cardiopulmonary symptoms) showed the best model fit. This bifactor model was confirmed in the primary care
sample (study 2). Additionally, the model explained 59 % of the variance of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this structural
equation model, both the general factor (14 %) as well as the gastrointestinal symptom factor (42 %) significantly predicted
the IBS.
pain, fatigue, and cardiopulmonary symptoms) showed the best model fit. This bifactor model was confirmed in the primary care
sample (study 2). Additionally, the model explained 59 % of the variance of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this structural
equation model, both the general factor (14 %) as well as the gastrointestinal symptom factor (42 %) significantly predicted
the IBS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-012-9237-2
- Authors
- Michael Witthöft, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Wallstrasse 3, 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Wolfgang Hiller, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Wallstrasse 3, 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Noelle Loch, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Wallstrasse 3, 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Fabian Jasper, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Wallstrasse 3, 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503