Factor Structure of the Multidimensional Health Perceptions Questionnaire in English- and Spanish-speakers

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To determine the factor structure of the Multidimensional Health Perceptions Questionnaire (MHPQ), a self-reported multidimensional assessment of health perceptions, in English-speakers and Spanish-speakers in the U.S with and without various health conditions (general population). Methods: The MHPQ previously demonstrated excellent content validity (content validity index=98.1%) and conceptual equivalence in English and Spanish, with a reading grade level of <8th grade in both languages. We administered the original 93-item MHPQ as an anonymous survey (REDCap™) to participants in the general population (items rated on a 1=Strongly disagree to 5=Strongly agree response scale). Results: N=357 participants completed the MHPQ (n=331 English, n=26 Spanish). The sample was 74.2% women, 18-82 years old, 24.1% Hispanic/Latino, predominantly White (68.9%), and highly educated (52.1% with at least an Associate degree). Exploratory Factor Analysis resulted in 65 final items with a multidimensional structure and good internal consistency reliabilities, with the following seven health perceptions domains (% variance, Cronbach’s α): Anticipated Discrimination and Judgement (18.9%, α=.92); Spiritual Health Beliefs (8.6%, α=.89); Social and Emotional Well-being (5.5%, α=.71); Confidence in Healthcare Providers and Medicine (3.5%, α=.85); Health Self-Efficacy (2.9%, α=.79); Trust in Social Health Advice (2.8%, α=.74); and Health Literacy (2.2%, α=.86). Conclusions: Results suggest that the MHPQ may be a valid and reliable measure for comprehensively characterizing health beliefs in the general population. Future work should validate the MHPQ in specific populations.