Psychometric evaluation of the Health-Risk Attitude Scale (HRAS-13): assessing the reliability, dimensionality and validity in the general population and a patient population. Issue 1 (18th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huls, Samare P. I.; van Osch, Sylvie M. C.; Brouwer, Werner B. F.; van Exel, Job; Stiggelbout, Anne M.
• Is Part Of: Psychology & health. Volume 37:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2020-11-18
• Subjects: Risk attitude -- health behaviour -- health risk -- validation; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Attitude to Health -- Periodicals; Public Opinion -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1851689
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-0446

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability, dimensionality and validity of the self-report questionnaire Health-Risk Attitude Scale (HRAS-13) in a sample of the general population and a patient population. Methods: Sample 1 ( n = 930) was recruited from the general population aged 18–65 years in the Netherlands. Sample 2 ( n = 486) was recruited from the population of knee and hip osteoarthritis patients aged 45 and over, also from the Netherlands. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, average inter-item correlation and item-total correlations. Dimensionality was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), principal component analysis (PCA) and bifactor analysis. Validity was assessed by performing known-group analysis using ANOVA tests. Results: Cronbach's alphas of the HRAS-13 were 0.73 in sample 1 and 0.69 in sample 2. Reliability and dimensionality analyses differed slightly between the samples, and suggest that a short version of the HRAS may capture a general component of health-risk attitude. Validity assessment of known groups showed that the HRAS-13 and a likely HRAS-6 distinguished between subgroups of respondents based on most of the assessed characteristics, but not all. Discussion: These findings are a preliminary indication that the HRAS-13 is a promising multidimensional instrument for measuring health-risk attitude. However, further research in various samples on decisions where health risks play a role is warranted to confirm the dimensionality of the HRAS-13 and the items to be retained in a full or a shorter version.