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Development and validation of the somatic symptom disorder scale: A multicenter study.
Burak Duruk1, Özlem Sertel Berk1
1Department of Psychology, Istanbul University Faculty of Literature, Istanbul, Turkey.
Acta Psychologica
|February 24, 2026
Summary
The Somatic Symptom Disorder Scale (SSDS) reliably and validly measures psychological symptom severity in Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), aligning with DSM-5 criteria. This new scale shows promise for clinical and research use in assessing SSD.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a complex condition characterized by significant distress and impairment related to somatic symptoms.
- Accurate assessment of psychological symptom severity is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning in SSD.
- Existing measures may not fully capture the psychological dimensions of SSD consistent with DSM-5 criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Somatic Symptom Disorder Scale (SSDS).
- To assess the reliability and validity of the SSDS for measuring psychological symptom severity in Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD).
- To ensure the scale aligns with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for SSD.
Main Methods:
- Psychometric analyses were performed on three samples: an outpatient clinical group (N=314), a matched nonclinical group (N=80), and a nonclinical university sample (N=73).
- Methods included reliability testing, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and convergent and known-groups validity assessments.
- The study evaluated internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factor structure, and correlations with established measures (PHQ-15, PHQ-9, GAD-7, WI-7, SSAS).
Main Results:
- The SSDS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α=0.94 total) and strong test-retest reliability (r=0.83 for total score).
- Factor analyses supported a robust three-factor, 33-item structure confirmed by CFA.
- Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with other symptom measures, and known-groups validity showed higher scores in clinical outpatients compared to nonclinical individuals.
Conclusions:
- The Somatic Symptom Disorder Scale (SSDS) exhibits promising reliability and validity for assessing DSM-5-consistent psychological features of SSD.
- The scale's psychometric properties suggest its utility in both clinical practice and research settings for evaluating SSD.
- The SSDS provides a valuable tool for quantifying psychological symptom severity in individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder.
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