Validation of the Serbian Translation of the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale (DPSS)

Abstract

Disgust represents a feeling of revulsion and is manifested as a response to adverse stimuli and indicates a motivation to withdraw from the stimulus. Several attempts were made to measure disgust, the earliest being the Disgust Sensitivity Scale (Haidt et al., 1994) that relied on responses to disgust elicitors, and the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale (DPSS, Cavanagh & Davey, 2000) that focused on the feeling itself, not on the strength of the reaction to specific disgust elicitors. There are two proposed models of the DPSS, one with two subscales, disgust propensity (DP) and disgust sensitivity (DS), and the other with three subscales where the self-focused/ruminative disgust (SFR) split from DS. This study aimed to validate the Serbian translation of the scale. We used two samples, a student sample (N = 437) and a social network user sample (N = 344). We used confirmatory factor analysis in both samples and the yielded results have shown that the three-factor solution is superior. The internal consistency of the subscales was marginally acceptable, while SFR subscale alpha value lagged in the social network user sample. Significant gender differences in subscale values were detected as expected, adding to the scale validity. Also, DP and DS registered a weak positive correlation with trait Neuroticism, negative affect, stress, depression, and anxiety. These results will further our claims that our translation of the DPSS is valid. In conclusion, we believe that the Serbian translation of the 12 item DPSS scale is viable for use in future research on this subject.

Serbian adaptation of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD) scale

“…Answers are registered on a five-point Likert scale. The scale was successfully translated and validated in the Serbian language [10]. Internal consistency of the subscales is good with alpha values of 0.74 for DP and 0.78 for DS.…”

“…First of all, there are the disgust scales that ascertain the level of disgust felt by an individual. They can be classified as those measuring disgust sensitivity by using items containing disgust elicitors, or those that measure general trait disgust [10]. The second is the scales measuring hypochondria and health-related anxiety.…”