Modeling the PHQ-15: The factor structure of somatic symptoms in a large community sample
= 1405). Confirmatory factor analyzes using WLSMV evaluated alternative structures reported in the literature. Several multifactor models showed acceptable fit, but a four-factor model comprising pain, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, and fatigue domains provided the best overall fit and outperformed a one-factor solution. Inter-factor correlations were high, indicating substantial overlap between domains and supporting the utility of the total PHQ-15 score. Males reported slightly lower symptom burdens, and younger adults reported more somatic complaints. Findings support multidimensionality alongside a strong general somatic distress tendency, though the PHQ-15 does not fully align with ICD-11 bodily distress disorder criteria.
Authors
- Mark E. Shevlin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6262-5223)
- Eoin McElroy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5466-8522)
- James Cunningham
Institutions
- University of Ulster (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Health Psychology
- Published
- 2026-04-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053261442550
- Primary Topic
- Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00