The Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised: psychometric properties and specificity in relation to anxiety disorder symptoms

J Anxiety Disord. 2007;21(7):918-30. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.12.005. Epub 2006 Dec 30.

Abstract

The present study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised (DPSS-R) in a nonclinical sample (N=340). Principal components analysis of the DPSS-R revealed a two-factor structure consisting of Disgust Propensity and Disgust Sensitivity. Although the two-factor structure converged well with prior research, four of the 16 DPSS-R items did not load onto the predicted factor. The DPSS-R demonstrated good reliability and validity. The DPSS-R and its two factors were moderately correlated with spider fear and contamination fear and mildly correlated with injection fear. The relation between the DPSS-R and these anxiety disorder symptoms remained largely intact after controlling for negative affect. Regression analyses also revealed that the two DPSS-R factors demonstrate specificity in the prediction of anxiety disorder symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of promoting a more valid and reliable assessment of disgust in anxiety disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reference Values
  • Students / psychology