title: The effects of negative affectivity on self-reported activity limitations in stroke patients: testing the Symptom Perception, Disability and Psychosomatic Hypotheses.
abstract: This study investigated whether Negative Affectivity (NA) causes bias in self-report measures of activity limitations or whether NA has a real, non-artifactual association with activity limitations. The Symptom Perception Hypothesis (NA negatively biases self-reporting), Disability Hypothesis (activity limitations cause NA) and Psychosomatic Hypothesis (NA causes activity limitations) were examined longitudinally using both self-report and objective activity limitations measures. Participants were 101 stroke patients and their caregivers interviewed within two weeks of discharge, six weeks later and six months post-discharge. NA and self-report, proxy-report and observed performance activity (walking) limitations were assessed at each interview. NA was associated with activity limitations across measures. Both the Disability and Psychosomatic Hypotheses were supported: initial NA predicted objective activity limitations at six weeks but, additionally, activity limitations at six weeks predicted NA at six months. These results suggest that NA both affects and is affected by activity limitations and does not simply influence reporting.
authors.affiliation: a Health Psychology, University of Aberdeen , 2nd Floor, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill , Aberdeen AB25 2ZD , Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Derek W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057566:Self Report; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Negative affectivity; activity limitations; disability; measurement; self-report; self-report bias