A taxometric analysis of health anxiety
Adult
Male
Health Status
Surveys and Questionnaires
Health Behavior
05 social sciences
Humans
Female
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Anxiety Disorders
Attitude to Health
Hypochondriasis
DOI:
10.1017/s0033291708003322
Publication Date:
2008-05-19T11:34:51Z
AUTHORS (1)
ABSTRACT
BackgroundA 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.MethodSeven 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).ResultsGraphical 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.ConclusionsHealth anxiety is better represented as a dimensional construct. Implications for theory development and clinical practice are examined.
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