Validation of a Swedish version of the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale

Uncertainty and fear are realities patients often have to face in illness and hospitalization. Mishel has described how perceived uncertainty under these circumstances can affect the patient's coping strategies. The Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), along with a diagnosis-specific version of the MUIS, the Cardiovascular Population Scale, was translated into Swedish with the purpose of testing the usefulness of the scale on a Swedish coronary population. The sample included 60 patients, 40 males and 20 females, with coronary pain, cared for on two intensive coronary care units. The Swedish version of the MUIS seems to be in most instances a reliable instrument for measuring perceived uncertainty. Coefficient alpha was .82, compared with Mishel's reported .84. The reliability of the Cardiovascular Population Scale was .74. Study findings revealed that recency of prior hospitalization was significantly related to perceived uncertainty. Results point to the necessity of further validity testing.