Related Experiment Videos
Response bias influences mental health symptom reporting in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
W A Bardwell1, S Ancoli-Israel, J E Dimsdale
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla 92093-0804, USA. wabardwell@ucsd.edu
Abstract:
The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) inventory is widely used to assess quality of life in chronically ill patients. Although response bias was addressed during its initial validation, we are unaware ofsubsequent studies examining how personality characteristics influence responses on this instrument. We examined the impact of response bias on MOS data reported by 44 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) outpatients who completed the MOS and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC). Social desirability implies responding in a way that the participant believes will be viewed favorably; MC is often used to statistically controlfor this form of response bias on self-report measures. The MOS yielded 2 summary scales (Mental and Physical Health) and 8 dimensions (based on Short Form-36 [SF-36]). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Results show that there is a significant relation between MC and the Mental and Physical Health factors (R2 = .194, F = 5.069, p = .011) and the eight SF-36 dimensions (R2 = .359, F= 2.448, p = .032). Post hoc analyses did not reveal that any one independent variable was a superior predictor of the MC. Participants scoring high on the MC reported 31% greater health than participants scoring low on the MC. Findings suggest that response bias has a significant influence on MOS data from OSA patients, with the greatest impact on mental health indexes. Controlling for response bias on the MOS and other self-report measures is important in both research and clinical situations with OSA and potentially other chronically ill patients.
Insights
Response bias significantly impacts quality of life assessments in obstructive sleep apnea patients. Individuals scoring high on social desirability scales reported better health, particularly mental health, than those scoring low.
Area of Science:
- Health Outcomes Research
- Psychometrics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) inventory is a key tool for assessing quality of life in chronic illness.
- Response bias, particularly social desirability, can influence self-report measures.
- Limited research exists on how personality traits affect MOS responses in specific patient groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of response bias on MOS data in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
- To examine the relationship between social desirability and MOS-derived health measures.
Main Methods:
- 44 OSA outpatients completed the MOS and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC).
- Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the impact of MC scores on MOS summary scales (Mental and Physical Health) and SF-36 dimensions.
- Post hoc analyses explored predictor variables.
Main Results:
- Social desirability (MC scores) significantly predicted MOS Mental and Physical Health factors (R2 = .194, p = .011).
- MC scores also significantly predicted the eight SF-36 dimensions (R2 = .359, p = .032).
- High MC scorers reported 31% greater health than low MC scorers, with a notable impact on mental health.
Conclusions:
- Response bias significantly influences MOS quality of life data in OSA patients, especially mental health indicators.
- Controlling for social desirability is crucial for accurate research and clinical assessments in OSA and other chronic conditions.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing response bias in self-report health measures.