Purpose: To examine the cultural validity and psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) pertaining to cardiac illness. Knowing people's illness perceptions can be used in designing awareness campaigns for cardiovascular health promotion. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected from 401 healthy adults recruited while visiting relatives in 2 large hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon. Participants were interviewed using an Arabic version of the IPQ for heart disease. Forward and backward translation of the IPQ was made by professional translators and health professionals. Statistical tests included Cronbach's alpha coefficient calculation, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. Results: Content validity of the IPQ was supported. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the identity and causes scales were acceptable (.78 and.76, respectively); yet Cronbach's alpha of the timeline (.59), control (.45) and consequences (.57) scales were lower than expected. Confirmatory factor analysis of the timeline-consequences-control scales did not support the three-factor model of Leventhal's common sense model of illness representation. Exploratory factor analysis yielded 4 factors, explaining 42% of the variance. Exploratory factor analysis of the causes scale yielded two factors (internal and external causes), explaining 42% of the variance. Conclusions: Cultural and language differences and the lack of personal experience of the participants with heart disease may account for the divergence of some of the results from the literature. Further psychometric testing of the IPQ in healthy Lebanese adults using cognitive interviewing is recommended. Replicating this study in Lebanese cardiac patients is also recommended.

Noureddine S, Froelicher ES. Testing the arabic illness perception questionnaire for heart disease in a lebanese sample. Cardiology (Switzerland). 2013;126:480.

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