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
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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