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Validation of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire in Adult Patients Waiting for Elective Surgery

Author

Listed:
  • Maurice Theunissen
  • Madelon L Peters
  • Erik G W Schouten
  • Audrey A A Fiddelers
  • Mark G A Willemsen
  • Patrícia R Pinto
  • Hans-Fritz Gramke
  • Marco A E Marcus

Abstract

Objectives: Because existing instruments for assessing surgical fear seem either too general or too limited, the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) was developed. The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of the SFQ. Methods: Based on existing literature and expert consultation the ten-item SFQ was composed. Data on the SFQ were obtained from 5 prospective studies (N = 3233) in inpatient or day surgery patients. These data were used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability analysis and validity analysis. Results: EFA in Study 1 and 2 revealed a two-factor structure with one factor associated with fear of the short-term consequences of surgery (SFQ-s, item 1–4) and the other factor with fear of the long-term consequences of surgery (SFQ-l, item 5–10). However, in both studies two items of the SFQ-l had low factor loadings. Therefore in Study 3 and 4 the 2-factor structure was tested and confirmed by CFA in an eight-item version of the SFQ. Across all studies significant correlations of the SFQ with pain catastrophizing, state anxiety, and preoperative pain intensity indicated good convergent validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was between 0.765–0.920 (SFQ-total), 0.766–0.877 (SFQ-s), and 0.628–0.899 (SFQ-l). The SFQ proved to be sensitive to detect differences based on age, sex, education level, employment status and preoperative pain intensity. Discussion: The SFQ is a valid and reliable eight-item index of surgical fear consisting of two subscales: fear of the short-term consequences of surgery and fear of the long-term consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurice Theunissen & Madelon L Peters & Erik G W Schouten & Audrey A A Fiddelers & Mark G A Willemsen & Patrícia R Pinto & Hans-Fritz Gramke & Marco A E Marcus, 2014. "Validation of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire in Adult Patients Waiting for Elective Surgery," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0100225
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100225
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eloise Carr & Katrina Brockbank & Sandra Allen & Paul Strike, 2006. "Patterns and frequency of anxiety in women undergoing gynaecological surgery," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 341-352, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Slobodan M Jankovic & Gordana V Antonijevic & Ivana R Vasic & Marija N Zivkovic‐Radojevic & Snjezana N Mirkovic & Bosko V Nikolic & Valentina D Opancina & Srdjan S Putnik & Ljiljana R Radoicic & Katar, 2018. "A rating instrument for fear of hospitalisation," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(7-8), pages 1431-1439, April.

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