The Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ): Construct Validation of a Self-Report Scale of Somatic Symptoms.

Abstract

The authors report the results of 3 studies that were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ), a brief self-report scale of somatic symptoms. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis results revealed 4 empirically distinct dimensions of somatic symptoms: gastrointestinal problems, headaches, sleep disturbances, and respiratory illness. In Study 2, this structure was replicated using confirmatory factor analysis, and correlations of the PHQ dimensions with measures of negative affect, psychological health, and job performance provided further validity evidence. In Study 3, a minor revision to the wording of several items helped to address the limitations of one of the PHQ subscales. Together, these results provide evidence of the construct validity of the PHQ.

The association between stress and physical health in parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities is moderated by children’s challenging behaviours

“…There is also congruency with previous studies reporting higher sleep problems in parents with children with intellectual disabilities (Gallagher, Phillips, & Carroll, 2010;Hedov, Anneren, & Wikblad, 2002) as well as poorer self-rated health (Allik, et al, 2006); thus our findings tend to resonate with the wider literature on family caregiving. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that the mean score of 57 on the physical health questionnaire reported by parents of children with intellectual disabilities is less than that seen in other stressful roles; Schat and colleagues evidenced a mean score of 69 across a range of healthcare personal when developing the physical health questionnaire (Schat, et al, 2005).…”

“…Self-reported physical health was measured using the Physical Health Questionnaire (Schat, Kelloway, & Desmarais, 2005). This is a brief 14-item self-report scale of …”

Social support and mastery influence the association between stress and poor physical health in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

“…Self-report parental physical health was assessed with the Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ; Schat et al, 2005). This brief 14-item self-report scale of somatic symptoms including sleep disturbances (Have you woken up during the night), headaches (Have you experienced headaches), gastrointestinal problems (have you suffered from an upset stomach), and respiratory infections (have you had respiratory infections more severe than minor colds that "laid you low").…”

Positive functioning inventory: initial validation of a 12-item self-report measure of well-being

“…First, the 14-item Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ) (Schat et al 2005) was used to assess four dimensions of somatic symptoms: gastrointestinal problems (4 items; e.g. How often have you suffered from an upset stomach (indigestion)?…”