Validity of the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale in a clinical sample
Received 22 April 2009; received in revised form 19 November 2009; accepted 30 November 2009. published online 22 January 2010.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the validity of the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (GMSCS) in a Clinical Sample.
Method
Three hundred fifty-four non-clinical subjects and 151 clinical patients completed the GMSCS, an 18-item five-factorial scale for the assessment of somatic complaints.
Results
The five-factorial structure was reliable and valid in the non-clinical as well as the clinical sample. Furthermore, group differences after controlling for the other factors were only significant for pain and fatigue.
Conclusion
The GMSCS is a suitable multidimensional scale for assessing five clusters of somatic complaints in a clinical (primary care and pain patients) and non-clinical population.
ABSTRACT