Psychology RootsPerceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire
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About Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire
Scale Name
Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire
Author Details
Lesley A. Duncan, Mark Schaller, and Justin H. Park
Translation Availability
English, Portuguese
Background/Description
The Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) is a 15-item self-report tool designed to assess an individual’s perceived susceptibility to infectious diseases and their emotional and behavioral responses to potential contamination. Developed by Duncan, Schaller, and Park in 2009, this questionnaire measures two primary dimensions: perceived infectability and germ aversion. Perceived infectability reflects beliefs about personal susceptibility to illnesses, while germ aversion assesses discomfort or aversion to situations that might involve germs. The PVDQ is widely used in psychological research to explore how perceived vulnerability affects behaviors and attitudes related to health, hygiene, and social interactions, especially in the context of disease outbreaks.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire from the original publication or authorized sources.
- Explain the purpose, emphasizing that it evaluates perceived susceptibility to diseases and germ-related behaviors.
- Provide clear instructions on answering the 15 items using a Likert scale (ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree).
- The questionnaire typically takes around 10–15 minutes to complete.
- Administer the scale in a quiet environment to ensure participants’ focus and accuracy.
Reliability and Validity
The PVDQ demonstrates strong psychometric properties. The original study reported high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.82 for the overall scale, 0.78 for perceived infectability, and 0.75 for germ aversion. Subsequent validations, including a Portuguese sample study, confirmed these findings, reporting high internal reliability (α = 0.83) and good construct validity. The two-factor structure has been supported across diverse cultural contexts, indicating its robustness and applicability in various populations. The scale’s validity is further strengthened by its correlations with health-related behaviors, anxiety, and other psychological constructs.
Available Versions
15-Items
Reference
Duncan, L. A., Schaller, M., & Park, J. H. (2009). Perceived vulnerability to disease: Development and validation of a 15-item self-report instrument. Personality and Individual differences, 47(6), 541-546.
Ferreira, J., Magalhães, A. C., Bem-Haja, P., Alho, L., Silva, C. F., & Soares, S. C. (2022). Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire: psychometric validation with a Portuguese sample. BMC psychology, 10(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00838-0
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire measure?
It assesses an individual’s perceived susceptibility to infectious diseases and their behavioral responses to germs.
Who can use the PVDQ?
Researchers and psychologists use it to study health perceptions and behaviors, particularly related to disease avoidance.
How long does it take to complete?
It takes approximately 10–15 minutes.
What are the main dimensions of the PVDQ?
The two primary dimensions are perceived infectability and germ aversion.
Is the PVDQ reliable?
Yes, it has demonstrated high internal consistency and strong construct validity in multiple studies.
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