Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire: psychometric validation with a Portuguese sample

• DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00838-0
• Publication Date: 2022-05-22T14:02:39Z
• Authors: Jacqueline Ferreira; Ana C. Magalhães; Pedro Bem-Haja; Laura Alho; Carlos F. Silva; Sandra C. Soares
• Keywords: Discriminant validity; Convergent validity; Vulnerability; Goodness of fit

Individual differences in one's perceived vulnerability to infectious diseases are implicated psychological distress, social and behavioral disease avoidance phenomena. The Perceived Vulnerability Disease Questionnaire (PVD) is the most extensively used measure when it comes assessing subjective diseases. However, this not yet accessible Portuguese population. present study aimed adapt validate PVD with 136 participants.Factorial, convergent discriminant validity (of both scale between each factor), reliability analysis were assessed.A modified bifactorial model, comprised of Infectability Germ Aversion factors, was obtained, acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, adequate validity, good internal consistencies.Overall, 10-items European-Portuguese appears be a reliable valid disease, potential relevance for application research clinical practice pertaining disease-avoidance processes.