The Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised: Psychometric properties and specificity in relation to anxiety disorder symptoms

Abstract The present study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised (DPSS-R) in a nonclinical sample ( N = 340). Principal components analysis of the DPSS-R revealed a two-factor structure consisting of Disgust Propensity and Disgust Sensitivity. Although the two-factor structure converged well with prior research, four of the 16 DPSS-R items did not load onto the predicted factor. The DPSS-R demonstrated good reliability and validity. The DPSS-R and its two factors were moderately correlated with spider fear and contamination fear and mildly correlated with injection fear. The relation between the DPSS-R and these anxiety disorder symptoms remained largely intact after controlling for negative affect. Regression analyses also revealed that the two DPSS-R factors demonstrate specificity in the prediction of anxiety disorder symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of promoting a more valid and reliable assessment of disgust in anxiety disorders.