Validation of Self-Assessed Form of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research Adapted from Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research - Structured Interview

As the diagnostic criteria for psychosomatic research‑structured interview (DCPR‑SI) is a rater‑assessed questionnaire, it has not been used vastly in community‑based studies and clinics. Describing and investigating self‑assessed form of DCPR are an attempt to apply it easier and more worthwhile for medical settings. The aim of this study was to describe and present self‑assessed form of DCPR self‑assessed (DCPR‑SA) and test its validity and reliability.

The DCPR‑SI was translated to Persian according to the best practice methodology and the guideline for adaptation of self‑report measures. In this cross‑sectional study, 540 patients and healthy individuals were recruited and answered DCPR‑SA and some related questionnaires. Inter‑rater (test–interview) and test–retest reliability were determined. Construct, concurrent, discriminant, and known‑group validity were tested.

The kappa coefficients were expressed substantial and almost perfect agreement (0.617–0.784, P ≤ 0.05). In addition, phi correlation coefficients were indicated adequate test–retest reliability for each cluster (0.548–0.754, P ≤ 0.05). Three domains (anxiety‑related symptoms, functional symptoms, and dysfunctional traits and emotional patterns) were confirmed by factor analysis. The results of the discriminate validity analysis were promising.

The findings show that the DCPR‑SA is valid and reliable and can be used by medical professionals as a psychosomatic screening tool and can be used properly in Persian‑speaking population.