Metric properties and normative data for brief noise and electromagnetic field sensitivity scales

Lack of brief questionnaire instruments for quantifying affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions attributed to sounds and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) motivated the present development and metric evaluation of such instruments, called the 11-item Noise Sensitivity Scale (NSS-11) and the 11-item Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity Scale (EMFSS-11). Another objective was to establish normative data for these instruments.

Data from 3406 individuals who took part in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study was used. The participants constitute a random sample of inhabitants in the county of Västerbotten in Sweden, aged 18 to 79 years, stratified for age and gender. The participants responded to the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11 and to additional questions for evaluation of concurrent validity.

The results show satisfying reliability (Cronbach α = 0.71-0.85, varying with age group and gender), concurrent validity, and unidimensionality of the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11, and that the scales generate scores with approximately normal distributions, irrespective of age group and gender. Mean scores, standard deviations, and confidence intervals constitute normative data.

The favorable metric properties of the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11 in combination with their fast usage suggest that they are particularly useful for assessment in epidemiological studies, and have the advantage of available normative data.