German Questionnaire Research Articles

The Short Stress State Questionnaire in German (SSSQ-G)

Abstract: Background: Although the physiological stress response is well established, self-reported stress has received less attention. Some validated measures assess task-related stress via self-report in English. However, no such measure exists in Germany. Aims: To address this research gap, we translated and validated the Short Stress State Questionnaire in German (SSSQ-G). It assesses stress-related affective states (e.g., anger) and appraisals (e.g., feelings of control). We expected to replicate the factor structure of the English SSSQ in the SSSQ-G. Methods: We included the SSSQ-G in five studies that induced stress either via the gold standard task for acute stress induction – the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) – or via a novel virtual reality (VR) task. The sample consisted of 213 participants (112 women; age: 23.36 ± 3.62 years). Results: The SSSQ-G demonstrated sensitivity to stress-induced changes ( ps < .01), particularly in response to the TSST compared to the VR stress induction ( p < .001 for total scale comparison between stressors). In TSST participants, the magnitudes of stress-induced changes on the SSSQ-G were larger than those on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), p = .008, indicating strong construct validity. Although the SSSQ-G total score was highly reliable (α = .85, Ω = .86), factor analyses revealed a six-factor solution, with the factors representing Distress, Worry, Confidence, Negative affect, Motivation, and Self-evaluation. Limitations: The SSSQ-G appears more sensitive to state changes induced by moderate-to-severe stress tasks. Conclusion: The SSSQ-G is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing states of subjective stress.

The DOES Scale: Measuring Sensory Processing Sensitivity as a Trait Constellation

Based on Aron’s (2020) DOES model, we developed the DOES Scale to measure Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) with four dimensions: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotional Reactivity, and Sensing the Subtle. Using interview data from the study by Roth et al. (2023), we created a 20-item questionnaire (5 items per dimension) in German and English. In three studies with 1,365 subjects from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the UK, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis and examined construct validity with the established Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) and different personality measures. The results confirmed each subscale’s unidimensionality and good psychometric properties. Considering the four subscales together indicated that they could be best described as correlated factors rather than in terms of a second-order factor. Convergent validity was confirmed, especially for Overstimulation in its association with the HSPS total score and its subscales EOE and LST. Regarding discriminant validity, the Sensing the Subtle dimension exhibited clear distinctiveness, while the other three subscales overlapped with neuroticism, extraversion, empathy, and rumination, aligning with theoretical expectations. The DOES Scale emerges as a reliable, valid tool for assessing SPS, recommending its four dimensions be interpreted as a trait constellation.

WATSU (Water-Shiatsu) increases body awareness and improves pain and mood: A randomised controlled study

Background and purposeWATSU (Water-Shiatsu) is a body-oriented therapy in warm-water pool with passive movements, massage and breathing techniques. The present study investigated the short-term effect of a single session of WATSU on body awareness. Materials and methodsIn a randomized-controlled study 60 volunteers (18–65 years) were assigned to a 20-min intervention of WATSU or to a 20-min lecture on WATSU. Immediately before and after the intervention they had to answer questionnaires. Primary endpoint of the investigation was the change of the total score of the non-verbal Awareness Body Chart (ABC). Secondary endpoints were the changes of the scores of the 14 single body parts of the ABC, of the Visual Analogue Pain Scale, of a German self-perception questionnaire (KEKS) and changes in mood scored with a German questionnaire on mood (Bf-SR). To compare groups, Mann-Whitney U tests were used. ResultsThe WATSU group had a significantly higher increase in the ABC total score in comparison to the lecture group (WATSU: 0.3 (IQR 0 – 0.8), lecture: 0.1 (IQR -0.2 – 0.2), p = 0.014). In the KEKS no group differences were seen. In WATSU a significantly stronger improvement of pain (Visual Analogue Pain Scale: WATSU: −15 (IQR -29 to −8), lecture: −4 (IQR -9 – 2), p < 0.001) and of mood (Bf-SR: WATSU: −6 (IQR -14 to −2), lecture: −1 (IQR -5 – 1), p = 0.003) could be observed. ConclusionThis study showed that WATSU immediately increases body awareness and improves pain and mood.

Development and validation of a brief three-item form of the perceived social support questionnaire (F-SozU K-3)

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a brief screening instrument (F-SozU K-3) for the measurement of perceived social support in large scale surveys by shortening a well-established German questionnaire (F-SozU K-6). MethodFirst, a brief three-item version of the F-SozU was developed based on a representative sample of N = 2482 respondents using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Second, the newly developed brief three-item questionnaire was evaluated and standardized in an independent second representative population sample (N = 2501). ResultsA suitable three-item solution with a good internal consistency (α = 0.89, ω = 0.89) was identified. Full invariance across sex and partnership was established. Construct validity of the brief three-item form was established. Younger age, female sex, partnership status, and current employment were positively associated with higher social support scores. Norm values for the general sample and separately for sex and partnership status were reported. ConclusionsThe newly developed F-SozU K-3 is a reliable and valid screening instrument. It can be used as an economical alternative to previous longer instruments, especially in large scale surveys.

The German validation of the Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (BPQ-SF) and its relation to current self-report measures of interoception

The Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (BPQ-SF) is one of the most used questionnaires to assess interoception. Although the BPQ-SF has been translated into different languages, there is no validated German questionnaire adaptation so far. Furthermore, empirical evidence outlining how the BPQ-SF relates to novel theories of interoception that distinguish between different facets, such as attention and accuracy, is still missing. The current study therefore aims at (1) validating the German version of BPQ-SF (with data from three different sites, Ntotal = 1292) and (2) relating it to the constructs of interoceptive accuracy and attention. In line with the original validation of the BPQ-SF, in the German version, an adequate three-factor structure and good internal consistency were found. However, reliability indexes varied between good, for the supra-and subdiaphragmatic scales and poor, for the body awareness scale. The three scales of the BPQ-SF showed significant associations with interoceptive measures and, more importantly, were related to both interoceptive accuracy and attention, suggesting that they mirror a mixture of both constructs. Finally, in relation to measures of psychopathology, the supra-and subdiaphragmatic (but not the body awareness) scales were positively related to alexythimic, anxious, and depressive tendencies. These findings provide evidence for the usability of the German version of the BPQ-SF and further shed light on the heterogeneity of the existing self-report measures of interoception.

The Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life (SoMe) questionnaire in Finnish: Sociodemographic findings of meaningfulness and crisis of meaning in the Finnish context.

Psychological research about meaningfulness is concerned with a subjective sense of meaning of one's own life, that is, meaning in life. Empirical research in this field is attracting interest, as meaning in life has wide-ranging positive implications for mental health and well-being. The aim of this article is to test the validity of the Finnish translation of the Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life (SoMe) questionnaire. In the article, meaningfulness and crisis of meaning are correlated with sources of meaning, and results are compared with other validation studies in Norway, Denmark, and Brazil as well as with the original German questionnaire. To meet our aim, 551 participants were recruited to answer the Finnish questionnaire. The internal and construct validity of the Finnish questionnaire were tested with reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and analysis of intercorrelations of items in the questionnaire. The analysis demonstrated similar reliability to other validation studies of the questionnaire and results highly comparable to the Norwegian study regarding the internal structure of the questionnaire. Results of intercorrelations of items within the questionnaire were also comparable to the other validation studies.

German questionnaires assessing quality of life and psycho-social status in people with epilepsy: Reliable change and intercorrelations

ObjectivesPeople with epilepsy (PWE) not only suffer from seizures but also from various psycho-social issues containing facets such as social functioning, anxiety, depression or stigmatization, and consequently quality of life. (1) Assessing reliable change of these issues is crucial to evaluate their course and potential treatment effects. As most psycho-social self-report questionnaires have been validated in separate samples, their clinical-socio-demographic differences may limit the comparability and generalizability of the scales’ internal consistency, which is important for the reliable change index (RCI). Using a co-normalized approach, we provide the internal consistency and RCIs for a large set of questionnaires targeting quality of life (QOLIE-31-P), depressive symptoms (NDDI-E), anxiety (GAD-7), seizure severity (LSSS), subjective antiseizure medication adverse events (LAEP), stigma, epilepsy-related fear, and restrictions in daily life (PESOS), and subjective cognition (FLei). As for some German versions of these measures, psychometric data is still missing, we also add important information for the German language area.(2) In addition, knowledge about intercorrelations of these constructs is needed to shape questionnaire usage and treatment approaches. We thus investigate associations of these scales and compare weighted and unweighted subscales of the QOLIE-31-P. MethodsIn our prospective study, 202 adult in-patients of the Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg with a reliable diagnosis of epilepsy filled out a set of self-report questionnaires between 03/2018 and 03/2021. We calculated Cronbach’s α, RCIs, and bivariate intercorrelations and compared the respective correlations of weighted and unweighted scales of the QOLIE-31-P. ResultsFor most of the scales, good to excellent internal consistency was identified. Furthermore, we found intercorrelations in the expected directions with strong links between scales assessing similar constructs (e.g., QOLIE-31-P Cognition and FLei), but weak relationships between measures for different constructs (e.g., QOLIE-31-P Seizure worry and FLei). The QOLIE-31-P Total score was highly correlated with most of the other scales. Some differences regarding their correlational patterns for weighted and unweighted QOLIE-31-P scales were identified. ConclusionsPsycho-social constructs share a large amount of common variance, but still can be separated from each other. The QOLIE-31-P Total score represents an adequate measure of general psycho-social burden.

Translation to German and linguistic validation of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire

PurposeTo produce a culturally adapted translation of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire for German speaking Austrians and to conduct a linguistic validation of the new language version.MethodsThe original English RAPA questionnaire was translated into German for Austria and underwent an independent forward and back translation, followed by cognitive debriefing interviews with older adults aged 55 to 78 years with and without health conditions (n = 13), for linguistic validation.ResultsSeveral distinct choices were made in the translation of the RAPA questionnaire to German, including the use of colloquial terms for ‘physical activity’ and ‘intensity’; and the decision to keep to the original examples and images of different physical activities for illustrating the intensity levels (light, moderate, vigorous) of physical activity. In cognitive debriefing, interviewees commented that some example activities for the respective intensity levels could – depending on the individual – also represent a higher or lower intensity level; and that the wording of RAPA items 4 and 5, which describe the category ‘under-active regular’ aerobic activity, was difficult to understand. Both issues were addressed and resolved through minor iterative modifications made during the cognitive debriefing process.ConclusionsA new version of the RAPA questionnaire in German for Austria has been produced by forward and back translation and linguistic validation. The questionnaire may now undergo psychometric evaluation.

Validation and Psychometric Properties of the German Operational and Organizational Police Stress Questionnaires.

Working in the police force is an operationally and organizationally stressful job. Suitable psychometric tools are needed to detect and study the psychosocial risks of these professionals. The original version contains 40 items, which may be too long for clinical use or as a research control measure. The main aim of this study is to validate the Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in German. The secondary objective is to validate a shorter version. After translation and counter translation of the PSQ-G by a committee of experts, 10 participants pre-tested the comprehension of an intermediate version, allowing the development of a final version that was submitted to a psychometric validation plan with 2314 German-speaking officers. Structure, reliability, and convergent, divergent, and discriminant validities were tested for each sample. The German version of the PSQ performed well psychometrically. We have created a short version of 14 items with good psychometric properties, 7 items for each subscale: operational stressors and organizational stressors. This study validated a German version of the PSQ and provides a reliable measure of stress processes in the police force. A short version is now available.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction of Rowers

The broad variety of measures that governments worldwide took against the COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions in our everyday life, including the practice of sports such as rowing. This study aimed to examine changes in the daily life of rowers and their rowing engagement. We distributed an online questionnaire in German among rowers in 2021. In total, 234 (48.7% females, mean age 45.01 years, SD 16.94) participants met the inclusion criteria. We found that the amount of time spent rowing was significantly lower during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, we detected a notable shift in the rowing landscape, with a marked increase in home-based training and a complete cessation of rowing activities. Moreover, the life satisfaction of both female and male rowers witnessed a significant decline during the pandemic when compared to before. The present findings showed that the pandemic led to far-reaching changes in sports activities among rowers. Most rowers had to deal with negative effects not only on their rowing engagement, but also on life satisfaction. In view of future pandemics, it becomes crucial to prioritize and ensure the continuity of active sports engagement, including that of rowers, in a safe and secure manner.

Assessment of self-stigma in epilepsy: Validation of the German version Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scale (ESSS-G).

Self-stigma is the internalization of unfavorable public perceptions, which people with epilepsy (PWE) frequently experience. PWE with strong self-stigma have low self-esteem and are less likely to engage in treatment behavior. The Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scale (ESSS) has been developed and validated in Japan. We translated the ESSS into German for this study to examine its reliability and validity. We created the German version of ESSS (ESSS-G) based on the original Japanese version. From May to October 2022, we recruited out- and inpatients from Bethel Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital for Epileptology, for psychometric evaluation. Inclusion criteria were an age of ≥18 years, sufficient reading and speaking skills in German, and the ability to comprehend the German questionnaires. Participants also completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), Epilepsy Knowledge Scale, and items on "overall quality of life (QOL)" and "overall health" (items from QOLIE-31). One hundred twenty-eight of 146 patients asked to participate granted informed consent and completed the study questionnaire (87.7% response rate). 115 cases were analyzed since 13 did not match the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed a single factor explaining 49.2% of the total variance. All factor loadings were >0.40, and the reliability was high (Cronbach's α = 0.80). Higher ESSS total scores were associated with higher anxiety (GAD-7, r = 0.54, P < 0.001) and depression (NDDI-E, r = 0.45, P < 0.001), lower self-esteem (RSES, r = -0.41, P < 0.001), overall QOL (r = -0.40, P < 0.001), and overall health (r = -0.35, P < 0.001), but not with knowledge about epilepsy (r = 0.03, P = 0.770). In Germany, females, younger individuals, patients with earlier seizure onset, and those with generalized epilepsy had significantly higher self-stigma. The German version of the ESSS proved reliable and valid. It allows to evaluate the efficacy of treatment strategies in lowering self-stigma and conducting intercultural comparisons of epilepsy self-stigma.

The awareness of injury prevention programmes is insufficient among French- and German-speaking sports medicine communities in Europe.

Evaluate the current state of sports injury prevention perception, knowledge and practice among sports medicine professionals located in Western Europe and involved in injury prevention. Members of two different sports medicine organizations (GOTS and ReFORM) were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire (in German and in French, respectively) addressing perception, knowledge and implementation of sports injury prevention through 22 questions. 766 participants from a dozen of countries completed the survey. Among them, 43% were surgeons, 23% sport physicians and 18% physiotherapists working mainly in France (38%), Germany (23%) and Belgium (10%). The sample rated the importance of injury prevention as "high" or "very high" in a majority of cases (91%), but only 54% reported to be aware of specific injury prevention programmes. The French-speaking world was characterized by lower levels of reported knowledge, unfamiliarity with existing prevention programmes and less weekly time spent on prevention as compared to their German-speaking counterparts. Injury prevention barriers reported by the respondents included mainly insufficient expertise, absence of staff support from sports organizations and lack of time. There is a lack of awareness regarding injury prevention concepts among sports medicine professionals of the European French- and German-speaking world. This gap varied according to the professional occupation and working country. Relevant future paths for improvement include specific efforts to build awareness around sports injury prevention. Level IV.

Influences on Stress Load in Young Girls with Major Depression

Based on former empirical studies and theoretical models the present study investigated, whether stress symptoms, stress coping, and activity of HPA axis are different in girls with major depression compared to non-depressed controls. 148 girls with a mean age of 15 years were studied twice with 6 months between the two assessments. 74 fulfilled DSM IV criteria for major depression at first assessment. Stress symptoms and stress coping were measured with validated German questionnaires. The cortisol awakening response was analyzed by collecting saliva samples. Depressed girls showed a greater stress load, which was significantly influenced by stress coping strategies. HPA axis activity was heightened in depressed girls, but does not seem to have an influence on stress load.

Development and validation of the Work-Home Integration Questionnaire (WHIQ).

The boundaries between work and private life are gradually blurring. More and more employees are involved in work during leisure time through cognitions, emotions or behaviours, in both negative and positive ways. This so-called work-home integration (WHI) can, on the one hand, hampers the necessary recovery from work and result in strain but, on the other hand, also restores resources and result in beneficial outcomes. In order to enhance our understanding of WHI and capture all its different forms, we suggest a new conceptualisation and measure of WHI. We therefore developed and validated the Work-Home Integration Questionnaire (WHIQ) in English, German and Slovene simultaneously using two cross-sectional studies (Study 1: N = 848; Study 2: N = 555) and a two-wave longitudinal study with a time lag of 1 month (Study 3: N =379). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure with (1) negative cognitive-affective involvement, (2) positive cognitive-affective involvement and (3) behavioural involvement. Moreover, the WHIQ showed measurement invariance across the three languages and the results provide evidence for convergent, discriminant and incremental validity. Overall, the WHIQ is a reliable, valid and short measure to assess the extent to which employees are involved in work during leisure time.

Psychobiological Influences for Stress Load in Young Girls with Chronic Headache

Chronic headache in adolescents is frequent, and stress may play an important role. The empirical literature suggests that stress load of headache sufferers is increased but stress coping is limited. The present study investigated in a controlled design differences between girls with chronic headache and controls in stress load and stress coping. Additionally psychopathological characteristics such as anxiety and depression were measured and a biological indicator for chronic stress (the cortisol awakening response) was obtained 148 girls were investigated. Stress load and stress coping was measured by validated German questionnaires. Saliva samples were collected at home after awakening. Girls with headache had a higher stress load and higher stress vulnerability, but significant deficits in stress coping. The cortisol awakening response was increased specifically for girls with headache. Physiological as well as psychological stress load could be significantly predicted by multiple linear regressions. Significant predictors were inadequate stress coping, anxiety and depression, but not hyperactivity of HPA axis. The results were integrated into the available literature and further discussed within a psychobiological model of chronic headache in adolescents.

A brief measure of guilt and shame: validation of the Guilt and Shame Questionnaire (GSQ-8)

ABSTRACT Background: Guilt and shame regulate basic human processes such as social cognition and relations. Both emotions are also involved in the aetiology and maintenance of trauma-related mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, a concise scale that adequately captures these constructs is currently lacking, impeding research efforts to understand them more thoroughly. Objective: To this end, we developed the eight-item Guilt and Shame Questionnaire (GSQ-8) in English, German, and Dutch. Method: We examined the reliability and validity of the GSQ-8 in a clinical sample of adults seeking treatment for childhood-trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder (n = 209), a sample of adults who had suffered at least one traumatic life event reporting different levels of PTSD symptoms (n = 556), and a non-clinical sample of adults (n = 156). Results: Theory-driven confirmatory factor analyses confirmed two correlated latent factors guilt and shame with four items for each factor. Across all samples, two-factor models yielded better model fit than one-factor solutions. Measurement invariance across the three samples, gender, and Dutch and German language was mostly established. Guilt and shame composite scores were associated with PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, mental health-related quality of life, and self-blame, thus supporting scale validity. Importantly, both subscales predicted PTSD symptoms, depression, life satisfaction, and mental health-related quality of life over and above cognitions of self-blame. Conclusions: The GSQ-8 is a parsimonious, reliable, and valid tool to assess guilt and shame in clinical, sub-clinical, and non-clinical populations, allowing applications across a broad range of research questions.

University Fairness Questionnaire (UFair): Development and Validation of a German Questionnaire to Assess University Justice—A Study Protocol of a Mixed Methods Study

Distress is a widespread phenomenon in the general population, but also among university students, associated with poorer learning success and negative health consequences. A source of distress might be the experience of injustice. Theoretical and empirical work in the area of perceived fairness in the workplace ("organizational justice") has shown that perceived unfairness is related to various stress indicators and health outcomes. Preliminary evidence indicates that unfairness matters not only in the work context but also in the university context. However, an adapted and validated tool to assess perceived unfairness in the university context is hitherto missing. The goal of the proposed project is therefore to adapt the construct of organizational justice to the university context and to develop a corresponding questionnaire by means of established scientific procedures. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design is applied in which qualitative and quantitative methods are combined. A valid and practicable measurement instrument ("UFair" University Fairness Questionnaire) will be developed and tested, and the relationship with various health outcomes will be examined. The UFair questionnaire will be made available free of charge to other researchers.

Impact of Migration and Acculturation on Turkish Men Who Have Sex with Men in Germany: Results from the 2010 European MSM Internet Survey.

To examine the impact of migration and acculturation of Turkish men who have sex with men (MSM) to Germany, using data from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2010), on measures of acculturation including circumcision status, internalized homonegativity (IH), HIV/STI knowledge, sexual orientation, outness, HIV-testing, and sexual behaviors. We compared four groups of MSM: MSM born and residing in Germany who had completed the questionnaire in German (n = 38,915), MSM born and residing in Germany, with a father or mother born in Turkey (n = 97), MSM residing in Germany who were born in Turkey or whose parents were born in Turkey (n = 262), and MSM who were born and residing in Turkey and who completed the questionnaire in Turkish (n = 1,717). Data showed that there were significant dose-response curves between level of migration and several outcome variables. As exposure to Germany increased, MSM had lower IH, higher HIV/STI knowledge, increased outness, and were less likely to be circumcised. There were similar significant findings with regard to sexual HIV risk behavior (condomless anal intercourse with partners of unknown (or sero-discordant) HIV status). Data were consistent with acculturation over generations in immigrant groups in MSM migrating from Turkey to Germany. Integration includes both cultural aspects (circumcision) and integration into a more homopositive gay environment (IH, outness, increased HIV/STI knowledge), and sexual HIV risk behavior. Migration and associated acculturation may constitute a risk change for HIV/STI and mental health issues associated with IH and outness.

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire in German.

Research interest in presenteeism as a productivity loss has grown given its estimated costs for organizations. To enable researchers in German-speaking countries to compare their findings internationally, a validated German Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) version is needed. First, the HPQ was translated from English into German, culturally adapted, and tested using cognitive debriefing in interviews. Second, the structural validity of the item measuring presenteeism as productivity loss was tested. Overall, 14 problems with items were identified in the cognitive debriefing. Of these, 57% were comprehension problems. Two of three alternative hypotheses for discriminative validity were accepted. No discrimination was possible for individuals with or without chronic disease. The German HPQ has satisfactory cross-cultural validity and can be used to measure overall performance, as well as presenteeism in a specified sample with health problems.

The Significance of Somatic Complaints for Maintenance of Depression in Young Girls

Based on former empirical studies and theoretical models the present study investigated, whether stress symptoms, stress coping and somatic complaints are different between depressed girls and healthy controls. 148 girls with a mean age of 15 years were studied twice with 6 months between the two assessments. 74 fulfilled DSM IV criteria for major depression at first assessment. Stress symptoms, stress coping and somatic complaints were measured with validated German questionnaires. Depressed girls showed more stress symptoms and a higher stress vulnerability. On the other hand in stress coping depressed girls preferred destructive strategies and had a lack of useful behaviors such as problem solving or search for social support. Somatic complaints had a significant influence on severity of depression six months later. The results were interpreted with respect to the cognitive model of Beck.