Abstract
To evaluate the construct validity (convergent and divergent) of the Sivik Psycho Somaticism test (SPS) and test of Operationality (OPER), Pearson correlation coefficients between SPS scales and subscales, OPER and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscales Hypochondria (Hs), Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy) and Alexithymia (Al) were calculated. Eighty-eight healthy individuals and 285 psychosomatic patients completed the SPS and OPER tests and MMPI; Hs, D, Hy and Al. The results show that most of the SPS subscales and OPER are significantly correlated to several MMPI subscales in both a normal and a psychosomatic population. The results are in concordance with the theoretical hypotheses and confirm the validity of the SPS and OPER constructs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bach, M., Bach, D., and de Zwaan, M. (1996). Independency of alexithymia and somatization. A factor analytic study.Psychosomatics, 37, 451–8.
Bagby, R.M., Parker, J.D., and Taylor, G.J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 23–32.
Bagby, R.M., Taylor, G.J., and Parker, J.D. (1994). The Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-II. Convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 33–40.
Cohen, K., Auld, F., and Brooker, H. (1994). Is alexithymia related to psychosomatic disorder and somatizing?Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 119–27.
Haviland, M.G. and Reise, S.P. (1996). Structure of the twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale.Journal of Personality Assessment, 66, 116–25.
Hickling, E.J., Sison, G.F., and Vanderploeg, R.D. (1986). Treatment of post traumatic stress disorder with relaxation and biofeedback training.Biofeedback and Self-regulation, 11, 125–134.
Newton, T.L. and Contrada, R.J. (1994). Alexithymia and repression: contrasting emotion-focused coping styles.Psychosomatic Medicine, 56, 457–62.
Rief, W., Heuser, J., and Fichter, M.M. (1996). What does the Toronto Alexithymia Scale TAS-R measure?Journal of Clinical Psychology, 52, 423–9.
Ringsberg, K., Löwhagen, O., and Sivik, T. (1993). Psychological Differences Between Asthmatics and Patients Suffering from an Asthma-Like Condition, Functional Breathing Disorder: A Comparison Between the Two Groups Concerning Personality, Psychosocial and Somatic Parameters.Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 28:4, 358–367.
Ringsberg, K., Wetterqvist, H., Sivik, T., and Löwhagen, O. (1997). Physical capacity and dyspnoea in patients with asthma-like symptoms but negative asthma tests.Allergy, 52, 532–540.
Schafer, R. (1963).The Clinical Application of Psychological Tests. New York: Int’l. University Press.
Schalling, D., Åsberg, M., Edman, G., and Oveland, L. (1987). Makers for vulnerability to psychopathology: Temperament traits associated withplatelet MAO activity.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 76, 172–182.
Sifneos, P.E. (1986). The Schalling-Sifneos personality scale revised.Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 45, 161–165.
Sivik, T. (1988).Dynamisk psykoterapi—personlighetsutveckling och karaktärsbildning (Dynamic psychotherapy—personality development and character formation). Lund: Studentlitteratur.
Sivik, T. (1990).Dynamisk psykoterapi—diagnos—psykopatology-behandlingstekning (Dynamic psychotherapy—diagnoses—psychopathology—treatment technique). Lund: Studentlitteratur.
Sivik, T. (1993). Alexithymia and Hypersensitivity to Touch and Palpation.Integrative Physiological and Behavioural Science, 28, 130–136.
Sivik, T. (1998). Since we have both body and mind we are all psychosomatic. Advances, 40, 2 1998.
Sivik, T., Delimar, N., and Schoenfeld, R. (To be publ.). (1999a). Construct validity of the Sivik Psychosomaticism Test and Test of Operationality: Correlations with Karolinska Scheme of PersonalityIntegrative Physiological and Behavioral Science.
Sivik, T., Delimar, N., and Schoenfeld, R. (1999b) [Comparative validity and evaluation of different psychometric instruments] Unpublished data.
Sivik, T., Gustavsson, E., and Klingberg-Olsson, K. (1992). Differential diagnosis of low-back pain patients; A simple quantification of the pain drawing.Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 46, 55–62.
Sivik, T. and Hösterrey, U. (1992). The Thematic Apperception Test as an aid in understanding the psychodynamics of development of chronic idiopathic pain syndrome.Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 57, 57–60.
Sivik, T., Röjwall, S., Gustafsson, E., Klingberg-Olsson, K., Wagner, A., and Delimar, N. (1992). Relationship between back pain and personality. Psychological vulnerability as risk factors for development of chronic back pain.Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 46:3, 188–193.
Taylor, G.J., Ryan, D., and Bagby, R.M. (1985). Toward the development of a new selfreport alexithymia scale.Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 44, 191–199.
Wickramasekera, I. (1998). Convergence in observation and philosophy if not in methods and constructs.Advances, 14, 230–233.
Wise, T.N. and Mann, L.S. (1994). The relationship between somatosensory amplification, alexithymia, and neuroticism.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38, 515–21.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sivik, T., Delimar, N. & Schoenfeld, R. Construct validity of the Sivik Psychosomaticism test and test of Operational style: Correlations with four Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscales. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science 34, 79–84 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02688713
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02688713