Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction The Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire (CABAH) is a self-rating questionnaire measuring cognitions about health. The psychometric properties of its Chinese version and its performance on evaluating somatic symptom disorder (SSD) were examined in this study. Methods After translating the CABAH into Chinese, we collected data of the CABAH and another four questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Health Anxiety Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory) in 208 SSD patients and 197 healthy individuals. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore the structure of the Chinese CABAH. Internal consistency and criterion-related validity were analyzed. An independent t -test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the CABAH for evaluating SSD. Results Six factors were suggested by EFA. Five (bodily weakness, health habits, catastrophizing interpretation of specific bodily complaints, somatosensory amplification, catastrophizing interpretation of general bodily complaints) are conceptually associated with the original CABAH. The sixth factor (reverse, with three items) is different from the original construct. Cronbach’s alpha for the CABAH was 0.885. The CABAH score was moderately correlated with scores of the other four questionnaires. Scores for the whole CABAH and scores of the six factors were all significantly higher in SSD patients than in healthy individuals. The results of ROC curve analysis were as follows: area under the curve=0.700; suggested cutoff=58/59; Youden’s J =0.295. Conclusion The reliability and validity of the Chinese CABAH were fair, although the three items in the reverse factor should be interpreted cautiously.