Nottingham Health Profile
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Nottingham Health Profile”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Nottingham Health Profile
Scale Name
Nottingham Health Profile
Author Details
Sonja Hunt
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), developed by Sonja Hunt in 1981, is a self-administered questionnaire designed to provide a brief indication of perceived physical, social, and emotional health problems, originally for primary medical care but also used in health surveys and clinical trials as an outcome measure. Published in Social Science & Medicine (1981), the NHP includes Part I (38 yes/no items across six sections: physical abilities [PA, 8 items], pain [P, 8 items], sleep [S, 5 items], social isolation [SI, 5 items], emotional reactions [ER, 9 items], energy level [EL, 3 items]) and optional Part II (7 items on handicap effects: occupation, housework, relationships, social life, sex life, hobbies, holidays). Part I takes ~10 minutes to complete.
Items were derived from 768 patient interviews and existing indices like the SIP, with severity scaled via paired comparisons by 1,200 outpatients. Section scores (0–100, higher = more problems) use weighted sums, though unweighted counts correlate highly (r > 0.98). Part II scores sum positive responses (0–7). Validated with ~1,000–2,000 patients (mean age ≈ 18–70 years, mixed gender, U.K.-based), it correlates with health measures. Used in primary care and research to assess health problems, access requires the NHP manual from the authors or publisher.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the NHP from Hunt (1981) or the NHP manual, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 18+ in primary care or surveys) that the questionnaire indicates health problems, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer Part I (38 items) via self-report, with patients answering yes/no to items reflecting general health; optional Part II as needed.
- Estimated completion time is ~10 minutes.
- Ensure a supportive environment; provide health resources (e.g., referrals) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, assistance) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The NHP demonstrates robust psychometric properties (Hunt, 1981). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.80–0.90 per section, N ≈ 1,000–2,000). Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.75–0.85 over 1–2 weeks). Inter-rater reliability is not applicable due to self-report.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the SIP (r ≈ 0.60–0.80) and SF-36 (r ≈ 0.50–0.70). Discriminant validity is evidenced by section-specific scores reflecting distinct problems (e.g., PA vs ER). Factor analysis confirms the six-section structure, supporting construct validity. The NHP reliably assesses health perceptions. Pairing with the SF-36 or MOS measures enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
45-Items
Reference
Hunt, S. M., McKenna, S. P., McEwen, J., Backett, E. M., Williams, J., & Papp, E. (1980). A quantitative approach to perceived health status: a validation study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 34(4), 281-286.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the NHP measure?
It measures perceived physical, social, and emotional health problems.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) in primary care, surveys, or clinical trials.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses health problems to guide primary care and trial outcomes.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at [email protected]. We help others on behalf of you.