Validity Evidence for the Arabic Version of the Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits (MIHT)

In this article, we present an Arabic adaptation and validation of the Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits (MIHT). This measure is based on the cognitive-behavioral model of health anxiety. For this purpose, two studies (i.e., validation and cross-validation), using three independent samples (i.e., community samples and clinical sample), were carried out. The two studies failed to confirm the 4-factor model of the MIHT. Consequently, we proposed a short-form of the scale containing the items with factor loadings ≥ .60 (i.e, a 17-item MIHT-SF). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the 4-factor structure of the MIHT-SF. The MIHT-SF scores demonstrated good reliability and were significantly and positively related to negative affectivity and perceived stress. Results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated good accuracy of the MIHT-SF. Using a cutoff score of 63.50, the MIHT-SF can be prudently used as a screening tool for pathological hypochondriasis (sensitivity = .64, specificity = .74, and accuracy = .74). In conclusion, the results of this study provide validity evidence for the MIHT-SF as a measure of hypochondriasis, and thus, could be utilized in research and clinical settings.