Validating the Multidimensional Health Perceptions Questionnaire: A traumatic brain injury model systems Rasch...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• The Multidimensional Health Perceptions Questionnaire (MHPQ) is a validated measure of health perceptions.
• Previous validation was in individuals without specific health conditions.
• Adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have unique health perception needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the structural validity of the MHPQ in English-speaking adults with a history of TBI requiring inpatient rehabilitation.
• To assess the MHPQ's suitability for characterizing health perceptions in this population.

Main Methods:

• The MHPQ was administered to 250 participants in the TBI Model Systems National Database study via electronic survey or telephone.
• Rasch analysis was conducted per MHPQ subscale to confirm structural validity.
• Participant demographics included age, gender identity, and race/ethnicity.

Main Results:

• Internal consistency reliabilities ranged from acceptable to excellent (Cronbach's alpha = .64–.91).
• Rasch analysis confirmed unidimensionality across all subscales after removing 2 items (final 51 items).
• The MHPQ demonstrated excellent reliability via item and person separation indices.

Conclusions:

• Psychometric evidence supports the MHPQ for characterizing health perceptions in adults with chronic TBI.
• The MHPQ can aid in providing more culturally responsive and person-centered care.
• Future research will focus on validating the Spanish-language version and evaluating test-retest reliability.