Abstract
BackgroundFood allergy (FA) is a worldwide concern, increasing up to 50% in the past decade, with a 700% rise in hospitalizations because of anaphylaxis. Individuals diagnosed with FA must have the emotional resources to cope with the many challenges that arise from self-management tasks and the social limitations that FA presents. Therefore, it is clear that close consideration of heightened emotions due to FA is needed. MethodThe present research aimed to adapt the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), one of the most used questionnaires available to measure mood or emotion worldwide, for a population of individuals with FA. We performed one study (N = 205; Mage = 37.37; Age range = 18–72). To adapt the measure, we asked participants to what extent they “generally” felt about having a FA, through 20 items (eg, strong, alert – positive affect; upset, scared – negative affect). We used Item Response Theory, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and reliability estimates to assess the data. We also propose a shorter version of the PANAS-FA, using its “best items”. Finally, we also used the General Anxiety Disorder-7 measure and Need for Affect Questionnaire to assess convergent validity. ResultsThe PANAS-FA presented a good model fit and strong item parameters. We removed 4 items from each factor for the shorter version, which presented difficulty levels slightly higher than recommended. The short PANAS-FA presented comparable results to the longer version. The measure also showed significant associations with general anxiety and need for affect, which assesses to what extent an individual likes to engage in emotion-inducing situations. Through a mediational model, negative affect significantly influenced general anxiety, partially influenced by the extent individuals avoid emotional situations. ConclusionWe are confident that the adaptation of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule focused on food allergy (PANAS-FA) provides a novel opportunity to understand the intrinsic associations between emotions and living with FA. Identifying which FA emotions are related to these factors may be vital for future interventions, providing an environment that focuses or promotes these emotions to enhance individual well-being.
Highlights
Food allergy (FA) is a worldwide concern with up to 50% increased prevalence in the past decade, with a 700% rise in hospitalizations because of anaphylaxis.[1]
The measure showed significant associations with general anxiety and need for affect, which assesses to what extent an individual likes to engage in emotion-inducing situations
We are confident that the adaptation of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule focused on food allergy (PANAS-FA) provides a novel opportunity to understand the intrinsic associations between emotions and living with FA
Summary
Food allergy (FA) is a worldwide concern with up to 50% increased prevalence in the past decade, with a 700% rise in hospitalizations because of anaphylaxis.[1] According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), FA alone is responsible for around 90% of all allergic reactions.[2] In the United States, a survey with 40 443 US Adults found a self-reported prevalence rate of 10.8% for FA, suggesting that-approximately 1 in 10 US adults have some type of food allergy.[3] In addition to the reported adverse impact on Food Allergy Quality of Life (FAQL) for all age groups and families, the condition has economic costs for health systems. It is clear that close consideration of heightened emotions due to FA is needed
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