Abstract
A questionnaire-based tool for quantifying self-reported affective
reactions to and behavioral disruptions by odorous/pungent substances,
called the Chemical Sensitivity Scale (CSS), analogous to the Noise
Sensitivity Scale (NSS), was evaluated regarding psychometric properties.
Twenty-six members from the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association
and 124 control participants responded to the CSS, the NSS, and to
additional questions for evaluation of the validity of the CSS and
NSS. The results showed that the CSS generates approximately normal
distributions, has good test–retest reliability (rxy=0.87), good
internal consistency (rα=0.88), and satisfying predictive and concurrent
validity. These metric properties of the CSS and NSS were in general
very similar. The content validity of the CSS is discussed. Two major
dimensions of the CSS appear to represent sensory/somatic and neurasthenic
symptoms, respectively. The analogy of the CSS to the NSS implies
that use of both scales in combination may enhance understanding
for the issue of general environmental sensitivity versus specific
sensitivity to chemicals. Correlation coefficients between CSS and
NSS scores for the asthma and allergy members (rxy=0.40) and controls
(rxy=0.42) imply a moderate correspondence between chemical and noise
sensitivity.
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