Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
---|---|---|---|---|
441.93 KB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Aim: This research aims at validating an instrument to assess the perception of control over hot flushes, frequent symptoms during menopause.
Method: A sample of 243 symptomatic women completed the Perceived Control over Hot Flushes Index, PCoHFI (Reynolds, 1997), two
subscales from the Menopause Symptoms’ Severity Inventory, MSSI-38 (Pimenta et al., 2011) to assess perceived loss of control and
vasomotor symptoms, as well as a socio-demographic questionnaire. The construct, criterion and external validity, reliability and sensitivity
were explored. Results: The exclusion of item 15 is suggested since it presents a negative factorial weight (λ = -.105; p = .134) and only 1.1%
of its variance is explained by the construct. The PCoHFI manifested two factors: internal and external control attribution. It does not present
convergent validity, but it has discriminant validity. Criterion validity is confirmed by a significant correlation with other similar constructs.
Moreover, the PCoHFI evidences a good reliability and sensitivity. Conclusion: The PCoHFI manifests good psychometric properties and is
an adequate instrument to assess this variable, which has been identified as a strong predictor of vasomotor symptoms’ severity. Research
and interventions with women who evidence severe hot flushes can benefit from the assessment of such construct.
Description
Keywords
Perceived control Index Hot flushes Menopause Portuguese version
Citation
Psychology, Community & Health, 1 (2), 221-231