Assessing We-Disease Appraisals of Health Problems: Development and Validation of the We-Disease Questionnaire

Alexandra J. Vogt; Lasse Bartels; Isabella C. Bertschi; Fiona Mahler; Michael Grotzer; Daniel Konrad; Kurt Leibundgut; Jochen Rössler; Guy Bodenmann; Markus A. Landolt

doi:10.3390/ejihpe14040061

European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (Apr 2024)

Assessing We-Disease Appraisals of Health Problems: Development and Validation of the We-Disease Questionnaire

Alexandra J. Vogt,
Lasse Bartels,
Isabella C. Bertschi,
Fiona Mahler,
Michael Grotzer,
Daniel Konrad,
Kurt Leibundgut,
Jochen Rössler,
Guy Bodenmann,
Markus A. Landolt

Affiliations

Alexandra J. Vogt: Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Lasse Bartels: Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Isabella C. Bertschi: Division of Clinical Psychology for Children/Adolescents and Couples/Families, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Fiona Mahler: Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Michael Grotzer: Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Daniel Konrad: Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Kurt Leibundgut: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
Jochen Rössler: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
Guy Bodenmann: Division of Clinical Psychology for Children/Adolescents and Couples/Families, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Markus A. Landolt: Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14040061
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 4
pp. 941 – 953

Abstract

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In couples dealing with health problems, we-disease appraisals can influence dyadic coping strategies to alleviate distress. This study describes the development and validation of a self-report scale to assess we-disease appraisals of health problems. The newly developed We-Disease Questionnaire (WDQ) was administered in three samples: parents of children with type 1 diabetes (n = 240) or cancer (n = 125) and individuals with visual impairment and their partners (n = 216). Reliability was measured by coefficient omega. To assess construct validity, correlations with other measures of individual and dyadic adjustment were examined. Descriptive statistics across all samples were compared. A 4-item version of the WDQ demonstrated good reliability and validity and showed meaningful associations with established scales. We-disease appraisals were highest among parents of children with cancer and lowest among couples with visual impairment. The WDQ is a reliable and valid measure that can be used across different health problems.

Published in European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education

ISSN: 2174-8144 (Print); 2254-9625 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine; Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ejihpe

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Abstract

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