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Development of the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale
Koen Beirens1, Johnny R J Fontaine
1Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. koen.beirens@ugent.be
Assessment
|August 25, 2009
Summary
This study developed the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (GMSC) to measure somatic complaints hierarchically. The GMSC effectively assesses various symptoms and their links to psychological factors like anxiety and depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychometrics
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Somatic complaints are common and can be linked to psychological distress.
- Existing scales may not fully capture the hierarchical nature of these complaints.
- A need exists for a validated instrument to assess somatic complaints within a structured model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new scale, the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (GMSC).
- To operationalize a hierarchical model of somatic complaints.
- To examine the relationships between somatic complaint dimensions and psychological factors.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of 63 items from existing scales and emotion literature.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on data from Belgian and Turkish adults and students.
- Validation using regression analyses to assess relationships with anxiety, depression, anger, age, and gender.
Main Results:
- Identification of five first-order factors (gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory, pain, temperature regulation, fatigue) and one second-order factor.
- The Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (GMSC) demonstrated a robust hierarchical structure.
- Factors were differentially associated with psychological variables and demographics.
Conclusions:
- The GMSC is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing somatic complaints.
- It allows for the evaluation of somatic complaints within a hierarchical framework.
- The scale aids in understanding individual differences in somatic symptom reporting and their correlates.
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