Development and Validation of the Bladder and Bowel Incontinence Phobia Severity Scale

Abstract

The current research investigates the development and validation of the Bladder and Bowel Incontinence Phobia Severity Scale (BBIPSS). Over two studies, two independent samples consisting of university students and respondents from the general public were used to validate the scale (study 1 n = 226; study 2 n = 377). A 15-item, two-factor model was confirmed in study 2 where strong construct (convergent and divergent) validity was demonstrated. The BBIPSS did not display significant correlations with openness and gender (divergent validity) and displayed significant correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress scores (DASS), alongside paruresis and parcopresis scores (Shy Bladder and Bowel Scale [SBBS]; convergent validity) and the Bowel and Bladder-Control Anxiety Scale [BoBCAtS]. The BBIPSS also demonstrated strong test–retest reliability (bladder r = 0.89; bowel r = 0.86) in a small sample of adults (n = 13). Overall, this scale provides researchers and clinicians with a reliable and psychometrically valid assessment tool to measure bladder and bowel incontinence phobia severity.