The portuguese version of the perceived control over hot flushes index: Evaluation of its psychometric properties

Abstract

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.