Assessing Misophonia in Young Adults: The Prevalence and Psychometric Validation of the MisoQuest Questionnaire.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Misophonia, characterized by strong emotional reactions to specific sounds, poses significant challenges, particularly in academic settings. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the MisoQuest in a sample of high school and university students. The primary objective was to assess its reliability and structural validity to enhance understanding of misophonia in young adults. Methods: A total of 549 students (Mean age = 23.2 years, SD = 9.3; 285 females, 260 males, 4 individuals who did not disclose their gender) participated. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to evaluate the MisoQuest. Fit indices for unifactorial and trifactorial models were compared. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: The EFA suggested a dominant single-factor structure with high factor loadings (ranging from 0.60 to 0.79). However, the CFA revealed excellent fit for both unifactorial (CFI and TLI = 1.00, RMSEA close to zero) and trifactorial models (CFI and TLI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.037). The MisoQuest demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). Additionally, 4.5% of participants were identified as positive for misophonia based on a predefined cutoff score of 61. Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the MisoQuest is a reliable and valid tool for assessing misophonia. These findings suggest that the instrument may capture multiple dimensions of the disorder. Given the observed prevalence of misophonia and its impact on students, early identification and tailored interventions are crucial for providing adequate support. Further research is needed to refine the tool and expand its clinical utility.