Psychometric properties of a self-perception questionnaire for adults
with suspected misophonia
Abstract
Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or
stimuli associated with such sounds, called triggers. The aim was to
validate a questionnaire on self-perception of the type of sound, visual
identification, and origin of sounds in adults with suspected misophonia
by Spanish-speaking people. An interview was conducted with a total of
395 participants, divided into four distinct blocks of questions: the
trigger of misophonia, the visual identification of gestures or actions
related to selective sounds, the emotional closeness between listener
and sender, and the impact on the daily personal relationships of the
person with misophonia. Each block used classical test theory to
factorially validate the instrument. The first group of questions gave
as a result four factors: mouth and throat sounds, environmental sounds,
material sounds, and pronunciation sounds (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.929; KMO
= 0.894). The second group identified two dimensions of reaction to
actions and gestures, one related to movements of the mouth and throat
and the second to body movements or exaggerated gesticulation
(Cronbach’s alpha = 0.840; KMO = 0.819). The third block linked low and
high emotional closeness factors (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.690; KMO =
0.633). The fourth block obtained a factor for daily chores and another
for affective relationships (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.861; KMO = 0.820). The
questionnaire offers valuable insights into the nature of misophonia,
and the necessity for further research in this field. These findings
emphasize the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of
misophonia to enhance diagnosis.