Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS)
Clinical intent
The Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS) is a self-rated measure that consists of nine subscales designed to assess fears, attitudes and beliefs associated with hypochondriacal concerns and abnormal illness behavior [1]. In the original list 9 subscales were distinguished. Subsequent validation studies lead to two subscales: disease anxiety and disease behavior [2,3]
Calculation
| Subscales | Input ids |
|---|---|
| Health anxiety | IAS_Q02, IAS_Q03, IAS_Q04, IAS_Q06, IAS_Q13, IAS_Q14, IAS_Q15, IAS_Q16, IAS_Q17, IAS_Q19, IAS_Q21 |
| Illness behaviour | IAS_Q23, IAS_Q24, IAS_Q25, IAS_Q27, IAS_Q28, IAS_Q29 |
All items are scored from (0,4) and per subscale we take the sum of all the items in that subscale.
Clinical interpretation
A higher score represent more severe ilness attitudes.
References
[1] Kellner R. Somatization and hypochondriasis. New York , Praeger; 1986
[2] Speckens AE, Spinhoven P, Sloekers PP, Bolk JH, van Hemert AM. A validation study of the Whitely Index, the Illness Attitude Scales, and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale in general medical and general practice patients. J Psychosom Res. 1996 Jan;40(1):95-104. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(95)00561-7. PMID: 8730649.
[3] Dammen T, Friis S, Ekeberg O. The Illness Attitude Scales in chest pain patients: a study of psychometric properties. J Psychosom Res. 1999 Apr;46(4):335-42. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(98)00127-5. PMID: 10340232.
Pathway
Form preview
Interactive preview of the questionnaire. Not for clinical use. Responses are not stored.