Taiwanese translation and psychometric testing of the revised illness perception questionnaire for patients with traumatic injury

Aims. The purpose of this study was to undertake a cross‐cultural adaptation, translation and psychometric analysis of the Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised for patients with traumatic injury in Taiwan. Background. Illness representations are the cognitive understandings and emotional responses individuals develop, which help to determine their responses to health threats. Methods. This methodological study involved four phases. First, two subscales, identity and causes were modified. Second, translation and back translation was undertaken by four translators, moderated by an expert committee. Third, ten patients with traumatic injury pilot tested the feasibility and readability of the Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (Trauma), and three professionals assessed the scale for content validity, resulting in minor modifications. Finally, 173 patients with traumatic injury were recruited to the main study and completed the Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (Trauma). Item analysis, factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha and split‐half reliability were used to the psychometric properties of the Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (Trauma). Results. Eight items were removed from the scale as a result of the item analysis. The factor analysis demonstrated a six‐factor structure explained 60·3% of the total item variance in the scale, which was very similar to the original scale. The Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0·69–0·80 for each subscale, and the split‐half reliability coefficients were from 0·70–0·82. Conclusion. The Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (Trauma) had good psychometric properties. Relevance to clinical practice. Translation of the instrument into Chinese extends its utility to the traumatic injury population. Awareness of patients’ illness representations can help clinicians provide appropriate interventions to patients.