The purpose of this preliminary report is describe how an orientation towards social desirability responses affects the reporting of gastrointestinal (GI) and psychological symptoms in women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) compared to nonsymptomatic controls. Methods: Women with medically diagnosed IBS (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 19) ages 21-45 were interviewed and completed questionnaires including the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale (M-C SDS, 20 items) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). They were then followed for one menstrual cycle with a symptom diary. Summary measures included: the mean M-C SDS score, the mean score over the menstrual cycle for G! (abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea) and psychological distress (SCL-90 subscale; daily anxiety, depression, and anger). Results: The mean level for the M-C SDS did not differ significantly between groups (IBS, M = 8.7 -+ 4.3; Control 9.6 + 4.2). However the higher the M-C SDS the higher mean daily GI symptom (abdominal pain, r s = 297, p = .13; bloating, r s = .470 p = .01; and constipation, r s = 463 p = .02; but not diarrhea, r s = -.067, p = .74) in the IBS group (n = 27). The M-C SDS was negatively correlated with SCL-90 subscales scores (IBS (n = 40) anxiety, r s = -.305 p = .05; depression, r s = -.377 p --.02, hostility, q = -.304 p = .05; interpersonal sensitivity, r s = -.364 p = .02) although less so in the daily measures (1BS (n =27), anxiety, r s = -.278 p = .16; depression, r s = -.049 p = .81, anger, r s = -.149 p = .46). Conclusions: Even though the women with IBS in this sample did not differ from controls in their mean score on a social desirability scale, their reports of GI symptoms and psychological distress were influenced by their need to respond in a socially appropriate manner. These results are consistent with the findings in patients being evaluated for intractable pain. This type of self reporting bias may reflect either a personality style that is influenced by social context, e.g., the legitimacy of physical but not psychological symptoms or an awareness that health care systems are more responsive to somatic symptoms or both. Funded by National Institute of Nursing Research, NR04101.
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