The reliability and validity of the Hungarian version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire

Introduction: Interdisciplinary studies confirm that patients' illness perception can have a substantial effect on the healing process. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Hungarian version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire in chronic disease, cancer, and transplant patients. Method: 490 patients were assessed using the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, Post traumatic Growth Inventory and quality of life questionnaires. Results: The scale showed good internal consistency, and the test-retest reliability was excellent. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire scores moderately correlated with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic growth and quality of life. Examining predictive validity, the questionnaire correlated with eGFR level (p = 0.027). The discriminant validity of the questionnaire was supported by its ability to distinguish between different patient groups. Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the Hungarian version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire in the sample were excellent. The questionnaire turned out to be a useful psychometric tool in the measurement of illness perception.