Assessing psychosocial distress in cystic fibrosis: validation of the ‘Distress in Cystic Fibrosis Scale’

Finlay, C., Patel, S. and Evans, J. (2022) Assessing psychosocial distress in cystic fibrosis: validation of the ‘Distress in Cystic Fibrosis Scale’. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 29(3), pp. 699-708. (doi: 10.1007/s10880-021-09825-w) (PMID:34586547) (PMCID:PMC8479494)

Abstract

Experiences of anxiety and depression are common in adults with Cystic Fibrosis (AwCF) (e.g. Quittner in Thorax 69:1090-1097, 2014) and may impact on a wide range of important health-related behaviours, such as adherence to medication and timely attendance for medical review when experiencing pulmonary exacerbation. Common screening measures used in CF such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 may reflect an absence of anxiety or depression when clinically significant emotional difficulties are apparent on further assessment. This study preliminarily validated the previously developed Distress in Cystic Fibrosis Scale (DCFS) (Patel in Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 15:S26, 2016); a 23-item questionnaire to assess psychosocial distress in AwCF. Inpatient and outpatient participants with CF (N = 119) completed a battery of questionnaires, including the DCFS. PCA results supported a single component model. The DCFS showed high internal consistency and correlated significantly with measures of mood and quality of life. The DCFS shows promise as a screening tool to assess clinically significant psychosocial distress in an adult CF population.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Evans, Professor Jonathan and Finlay, Caroline
• Authors: Finlay, C., Patel, S., and Evans, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1068-9583
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3572
• Published Online: 29 September 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings 29(3): 699-708
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence