A nomological network for misophonia in two German samples using the S-Five model for misophonia

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Clinical Psychology
• Auditory Processing Disorders

Background:

• Misophonia, a disorder characterized by strong negative emotional and physiological responses to specific sounds, requires reliable assessment tools.
• Existing measures may not fully capture the multidimensional nature of misophonic experiences.
• The Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome Scale (S-Five) is a novel instrument designed to address these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the German translation of the S-Five and its trigger checklist (S-Five-T) in German community samples.
• To examine the psychometric properties of the S-Five, including its factor structure, reliability, and construct validity.
• To explore the nomological network surrounding misophonia, linking S-Five dimensions to related psychological constructs.

Main Methods:

• Rigorous translation (TRAPD) and administration of the S-Five and S-Five-T to two German samples.
• Psychometric analyses including factor structure evaluation, measurement invariance testing (age, gender), reliability assessment (internal consistency, temporal stability).
• Extensive construct validity examination within a nomological network comprising misophonic manifestations, anger, disgust, anxiety, depression, OCD traits, and functional impairment.

Main Results:

• The S-Five demonstrated a robust five-factor structure in German samples.
• Strong correlations were observed between S-Five dimensions and overall misophonic symptoms (r ≥ 0.53).
• Specific dimensions showed significant associations with related constructs (e.g., internalizing appraisals with insight, r ≥ 0.59; aggressive behavior with anger, r ≥ 0.70), supporting the nomological network.

Conclusions:

• The German version of the S-Five is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing misophonia.
• The study provides empirical support for the proposed nomological network of misophonia.
• The S-Five facilitates sophisticated, symptom-oriented research and hypothesis testing for misophonia.