- INSTRUCTIONS: The items in this questionnaire
refer to people's health. Please read each item carefully and decide to what extent it is
characteristic of you. Give each item a rating of how much it applies to you by marking
your response in this booklet. Use the following scale:
- A = Not at all characteristic of me.
- B = Slightly characteristic of me.
- C = Somewhat characteristic of me.
- D = Moderately characteristic of me.
- E = Very characteristic of me.
- EXAMPLE: Suppose you read the following
statement: .
....A..B..C..D..E......(1.
I am in great physical health.
- If you were not in great physical health, then you
would circle the letter "A" to indicate that this statement is "not at all
characteristic" of you. If the statement was "slightly characteristic" of
you, then you would circle the letter "B." If the statement were "somewhat
characteristic" of you, then you would circle the letter "C." By contrast,
if you considered the statement to be "moderately characteristic" of you, then
you would circle the letter "D" for that item. And finally, if the statement was
"very characteristic" of you then you would indicate your response by circling
the letter "E."
- NOTE: Remember to respond to all 100 items, even
if you are not completely sure.
- Your answers will be kept in the strictest confidence.
- Also, please be honest in responding to these
statements.
- Remember to circle only one letter for each statement
on the following pages.
- Please work rapidly and do not spend too much time on
any one statement.
- A B C D E 1. I feel anxious when I think about my
health.
- A B C D E 2. I have the ability to take care of any
health problems that I may encounter.
- A B C D E 3. I am very aware of how healthy my body
feels.
- A B C D E 4. I do things that keep me from becoming
physically unhealthy.
- A B C D E 5. The status of my physical health is
determined mostly by chance happenings.
- A B C D E 6. I think about my physical health all the
time.
- A B C D E 7. I’m very assertive when it comes to
looking out for my own physical health.
- A B C D E 8. I expect that my health will be excellent
in the future.
- A B C D E 9. I am to blame for those times when I
become sick or don’t feel well.
- A B C D E 10. I sometimes wonder what others think of
my physical health.
- A B C D E 11. I'm very motivated to be physically
healthy.
- A B C D E 12. When I am ill, I myself am in control of
whether my health improves.
- A B C D E 13. I derive a sense of self-pride from the
way I handle my own physical health.
- A B C D E 14. I am very satisfied with my own physical
health.
- A B C D E 15. The status of my physical health is
determined largely by other more powerful people.
- A B C D E 16. Not only am I in good physical health,
but it’s quite important to me that I be in good health.
- A B C D E 17. I am in good physical health.
- A B C D E 18. If I am careful to avoid becoming ill,
then I will be in good physical health-shape.
- A B C D E 19. I am depressed about my current physical
health.
- A B C D E 20. I feel like my physical health is
something that I myself am in charge of.
- A B C D E 21. I'm worried about how healthy my body is.
- A B C D E 22. I am competent enough to make sure that
my physical health is in good shape.
- A B C D E 23. I notice immediately when my body doesn't
feel healthy.
- A B C D E 24. I am motivated to keep myself from
becoming physically unhealthy.
- A B C D E 25. The status of my physical health is
controlled by accidental happenings.
- A B C D E 26. I think about my physical health more
than anything else.
- A B C D E 27. I’m very direct with people when it
comes to my own physical health needs.
- A B C D E 28. I believe that the future status of my
physical health will be positive.
- A B C D E 29. When I become sick or ill, I am the
person to blame.
- A B C D E 30. I'm very concerned with how others
evaluate my physical health.
- A B C D E 31. I'm strongly motivated to devote time and
effort to my physical health.
- A B C D E 32. During times when I am sick, my own
behavior determines whether I get well.
- A B C D E 33. I am proud of the way I deal with and
handle my health.
- A B C D E 34. I am very satisfied with the status of my
physical health.
- A B C D E 35. My physical health is largely controlled
by people other than myself (e.g., friends, family).
- A B C D E 36. Not only do I take care of my physical
health, but its very important to me that I do so.
- A B C D E 37. My body is in good physical shape.
- A B C D E 38. I can pretty much prevent myself from
becoming ill by taking good care of myself.
- A B C D E 39. I am disappointed about the quality of my
physical health.
- A B C D E 40. My health is something that I alone am
responsible for.
- A B C D E 41. Thinking about my physical health leaves
me with an uneasy feeling.
- A B C D E 42. I have the skills and ability to ensure
good physical health for myself.
- A B C D E 43. I'm sensitive to internal bodily cues
about my physical health.
- A B C D E 44. I try to avoid engaging in behaviors that
undermine my physical health.
- A B C D E 45. Whether (or not) I am in good physical
health is just a matter of luck.
- A B C D E 46. I tend to be preoccupied with my own
physical health.
- A B C D E 47. I am somewhat passive about getting my
health needs met.
- A B C D E 48. I do not expect to suffer health problems
in the future.
- A B C D E 49. If I were to become ill, then I’m to
blame for not taking good care of myself.
- A B C D E 50. I'm very aware of what others think of my
physical health.
- A B C D E 51. I have a strong desire to keep myself
physically healthy.
- A B C D E 52. If I were to become ill, I myself would
be responsible for making myself better.
- A B C D E 53. I am pleased with how well I handle my
own physical health.
- A B C D E 54. My present degree of physical health is
personally satisfying to me.
- A B C D E 55. My health is largely determined by the
actions of powerful others (e.g., health professionals).
- A B C D E 56. Not only am I in good physical health,
but it’s important to me that I stay physically healthy.
- A B C D E 57. I am a well-exercised person.
- A B C D E 58. If I look out for my health, then I will
stay in good physical healthy and avoid illness.
- A B C D E 59. When I think about my current physical
health, I feel really down in the dumps.
- A B C D E 60. The status of my physical health is
determined largely by what I do (and don't do).
- A B C D E 61. I usually worry about whether I am in
good health.
- A B C D E 62. I am able to cope with and to handle my
physical health needs.
- A B C D E 63. I know immediately when I'm not feeling
physically well.
- A B C D E 64. I really want to prevent myself from
getting out of shape.
- A B C D E 65. My physical health and shape have little
or nothing to do with luck.
- A B C D E 66. I’m constantly thinking about my
physical fitness.
- A B C D E 67. I do not hesitate to ask for what I need
for my physical health.
- A B C D E 68. I will probably experience a number of
health problems in the future.
- A B C D E 69. If I were to start feeling sick, then it
would be my own fault for letting it happen.
- A B C D E 70. I'm concerned about how my physical
health appears to others.
- A B C D E 71. It's really important to me that I keep
myself in proper physical health.
- A B C D E 72. Whether I recover from an illness depends
in large part on what I myself do.
- A B C D E 73. I have positive feelings about the way I
approach my own physical health.
- A B C D E 74. My current level of physical fitness is
very pleasing to me.
- A B C D E 75. In order to have good health, I have to
act in a pleasing way to other more powerful individuals.
- A B C D E 76. I keep myself physically healthy, and
it’s very important to me that I stay fit and healthy.
- A B C D E 77. My body needs a lot of work in be in
excellent physical shape.
- A B C D E 78. I will be able to avoid any illnesses, if
I just take care of myself.
- A B C D E 79. I feel unhappy about my physical health.
- A B C D E 80. What happens to my physical health is my
own doing.
- A B C D E 81. I feel nervous when I think about the
status of my physical health.
- A B C D E 82. I have the capability to take care of my
own physical health.
- A B C D E 83. I'm very aware of changes in my physical
health.
- A B C D E 84. I am really motivated to avoid being in
terrible physical shape.
- A B C D E 85. I don't believe that chance or luck play
any role in the status of my physical health.
- A B C D E 86. I think about my physical health the
majority of the time.
- A B C D E 87. When it comes to my own physical health
requirements, I ask for what I need.
- A B C D E 88. I anticipate that my physical health will
deteriorate in the future.
- A B C D E 89. When something goes wrong with my own
physical health, it’s my own fault.
- A B C D E 90. I'm concerned about what other people
think of my physical health.
- A B C D E 91. I strive to keep myself in tip-top
physical shape.
- A B C D E 92. If I were ill, my recovery would depend
on how I myself deal with the problem.
- A B C D E 93. I feel good about the way I cope with my
own physical health needs.
- A B C D E 94. When I think about my present physical
health, I am very satisfied.
- A B C D E 95. My physical health is largely determined
by people who have influence and control over me.
- A B C D E 96. I try to stay in good physical condition,
and its extremely important to me that I do so.
- A B C D E 97. My physical health is in need of
attention.
- A B C D E 98. If I just pay attention to my health, I
will be able to prevent myself from becoming sick.
- A B C D E 99. I feel sad when I think about my present
physical health.
- A B C D E 100. Being in good physical health is a
matter of my own ability and effort.
- PUBLISHED BY TESTING SERVICE P. O. BOX 1548 CAPE
GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI 63701
- COPYRIGHT @ 1992 BY TESTING SERVICE.
- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS TEST, OR ANY PARTS THEREOF,
MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS (wesnell@semovm.semo.edu).
- PRINTED IN U.S.A.
- Scoring Instructions for
the Multidimensional Health Questionnaire (MHQ).
- The Multidimensional Health Questionnaire (MHQ)
consists of 20 health-oriented subscales, each containing five items.
-
- The labels, descriptions, and items for each of these
subscales are listed below:
- Subscale # 1. Health Anxiety: The items on the Health
Anxiety (HA) subscale refer to anxious feelings associated with the status of one's
health. More specifically, these items were designed to tap people's feelings of tension,
discomfort and anxiety about their physical health. People who endorse these items are
those who experience chronic anxiety as a result of thinking about their physical health.
- 1. I feel anxious when I think about my health.
- 21. I'm worried about how healthy my body is.
- 41. Thinking about my physical health leaves me with an
uneasy feeling.
- 61. I usually worry about whether I am in good health.
- 81. I feel nervous when I think about the status of my
physical health.
- Subscale # 2. Health-Efficacy: The items on the
Health-Efficacy (HE) subscale were designed to measure the extent to which people believe
they have the ability, capability, skills and talents to take care of their own physical
health.
- 2. I have the ability to take care of any health problems
that I may encounter.
- 22. I am competent enough to make sure that my physical
health is in good shape.
- 42. I have the skills and ability to ensure good physical
health for myself.
- 62. I am able to cope with and to handle my physical health
needs.
- 82. I have the capability to take care of my own physical
health.
- Subscale # 3. Health Consciousness: The items on the
Health Consciousness (HC) subscale refer to an awareness of one's health. These items were
designed to measure people's tendency to think about and to reflect about their health.
People who endorse these items are those who think about that status of their physical
health, and who in general are reflective about the nature of the health and wellness of
their body.
- 3. I am very aware of how healthy my body feels.
- 23. I notice immediately when my body doesn't feel healthy.
- 43. I'm sensitive to internal bodily cues about my physical
health.
- 63. I know immediately when I'm not feeling physically well.
- 83. I'm very aware of changes in my physical health.
- Subscale # 4. Motivation to Avoid Unhealthiness: The
items on the Motivation to Avoid Unhealthiness (Mavu) subscale refer to motivational
tendency to avoid being or becoming unhealthy. More specifically, these items were
designed to measure people's motivational tendency to avoid poor physical health. People
who endorse these items are those who are concerned about becoming unhealthy; they are
motivated to avoid behaviors and activities which undermine their physical health.
- 4. I do things that keep me from becoming physically
unhealthy.
- 24. I am motivated to keep myself from becoming physically
unhealthy.
- 44. I try to avoid engaging in behaviors that undermine my
physical health.
- 64. I really want to prevent myself from getting out of
shape.
- 84. I am really motivated to avoid being in terrible
physical shape.
- Subscale # 5. Chance-Luck Health Control: The items on
the Chance-Luck Health Control (CLHC) subscale refer to people's belief that their health
status is determined by experiences and influences outside of their personal
control--i.e., chance or luck. More specifically, these items were designed to measure
people's expectation that their health status is largely determined by forces which they
themselves can neither anticipate nor influence. People who endorse these items are those
who believe that their health is not controlled by themselves, rather that their physical
health is under the influence of luck and chance.
- 5. The status of my physical health is determined mostly by
chance happenings.
- 25. The status of my physical health is controlled by
accidental happenings.
- 45. Whether (or not) I am in good physical health is just a
matter of luck.
- 65. My physical health and shape have little or nothing to
do with luck. (R)
- 85. I don't believe that chance or luck play any role in the
status of my physical health. (R)
- Subscale # 6. Health Preoccupation: Health
Preoccupation (HP) is defined as the tendency to become absorbed in, obsessed with, and
engrossed with the physical health aspects of one’s life, to the extent that one
virtually excludes from one’s mind thoughts of other matters. People who report
higher scores on the health preoccupation scale tend to be cognitively obsessed with their
physical health.
- 6. I think about my physical health all the time.
- 26. I think about my physical health more than anything
else.
- 46. I tend to be preoccupied with my own physical health.
- 66. I’m constantly thinking about my physical fitness.
- 86. I think about my physical health the majority of the
time.
- Subscale # 7. Health Assertiveness: The items on the
Health Assertiveness (HA) subscale refer to the tendency of being assertive about the
health-related aspects of one's life. In particular, the items on this subscale were
designed to measure the characteristic of being assertive about one’s health needs
(i.e., decisive about one's health and self-reliant about the pursuit and fulfillment of
one's health). People who have high scores on the health assertiveness subscale have a
behavioral predisposition to be agentic and instrumental in the fulfillment of their
health-related needs and requirements. They tend to take an instrumental, self-directed
(but not selfish) orientation to their health, and they tend to rely more on themselves
than on others in making decisions about their health needs.
- 7. I’m very assertive when it comes to looking out for
my own physical health.
- 27. I’m very direct with people when it comes to my own
physical health needs.
- 47. I am somewhat passive about getting my health needs met.
(R)
- 67. I do not hesitate to ask for what I need for my physical
health.
- 87. When it comes to my own physical health requirements, I
ask for what I need.
- Subscale # 8. Health Expectations-Optimism: The items
on the Health Expectations-Optimism (HEO) subscale refer to an expectation that one will
continue to experience positive physical health in the future. More specifically, these
items were designed to measure people's belief that their health will continue to be
excellent and robust. People who endorse these items anticipate that their future physical
health will continue to be good.
- 8. I expect that my health will be excellent in the future.
- 28. I believe that the future status of my physical health
will be positive.
- 48. I do not expect to suffer health problems in the future.
- 68. I will probably experience a number of health problems
in the future. (R)
- 88. I anticipate that my physical health will deteriorate in
the future. (R)
- Subscale # 9. Health Illness Self-Blame: The items on
the Health Illness Self-Blame (HISB) subscale were designed to measure the tendency to
attribute blame to oneself when one becomes sick or ill.
- 9. I am to blame for those times when I become sick or
don’t feel well.
- 29. When I become sick or ill, I am the person to blame.
- 49. If I were to become ill, then I’m to blame for not
taking good care of myself.
- 69. If I were to start feeling sick, then it would be my own
fault for letting it happen.
- 89. When something goes wrong with my own physical health,
it’s my own fault.
- Subscale # 10. Health Monitoring: The items on the
Health Monitoring (HM) subscale refer to an awareness of other people's reactions to one's
health. More specifically, these items were designed to measure people's public concern
about the image which their health (or lack thereof) projects to others. People who
endorse these items are those who are concerned about the appearance of their health to
others, the impression their health makes on others, and how healthy and well others
consider them to be.
- 10. I sometimes wonder what others think of my physical
health.
- 30. I'm very concerned with how others evaluate my physical
health.
- 50. I'm very aware of what others think of my physical
health.
- 70. I'm concerned about how my physical health appears to
others.
- 90. I'm concerned about what other people think of my
physical health.
- Subscale # 11. Motivation for Healthiness: The items on
the Motivation for Healthiness (Mfh) subscale refer to the motivation to pursue positive
physical health. More specifically, these items were designed to measure people's
motivation to keep in excellent physical health. People who endorse these items are those
who are motivated to attend to the physical health of their body, to engage in activities
which promote their physical health, and to strive to maintain the wellness and integrity
of their physical health.
- 11. I'm very motivated to be physically healthy.
- 31. I'm strongly motivated to devote time and effort to my
physical health.
- 51. I have a strong desire to keep myself physically
healthy.
- 71. It's really important to me that I keep myself in proper
physical health.
- 91. I strive to keep myself in tip-top physical shape.
- Subscale # 12. Health Illness Management: The items on
the Health Illness Management (HIM) subscale were designed to measure the extent to which
people believe they have control over any illnesses that might befall them.
- 12. When I am ill, I myself am in control of whether my
health improves.
- 32. During times when I am sick, my own behavior determines
whether I get well.
- 52. If I were to become ill, I myself would be responsible
for making myself better.
- 72. Whether I recover from an illness depends in large part
on what I myself do.
- 92. If I were ill, my recovery would depend on how I myself
deal with the problem.
- Subscale # 13. Health Esteem: The items on the Health
Esteem (HE) subscale were designed to measure the extent to which people derive a sense of
esteem from manner in which they handle their physical health. More specifically, these
items are concerned with how positive individuals feel about their handling of their
physical wellness. People who endorse these items are those who feel good about the way
they cope with their health; they feel positive esteem about their approach to their own
physical health.
- 13. I derive a sense of self-pride from the way I handle my
own physical health.
- 33. I am proud of the way I deal with and handle my health.
- 53. I am pleased with how well I handle my own physical
health.
- 73. I have positive feelings about the way I approach my own
physical health.
- 93. I feel good about the way I cope with my own physical
health needs.
- Subscale # 14. Health Satisfaction: The items on the
Health Satisfaction (HS) subscale concern people's satisfaction with the status of their
health needs. More specifically, these items were designed to measure the extent to which
people indicate that their health needs are currently being met in a pleasing and
satisfying manner. People who endorse these items are highly satisfied with their physical
health.
- 14. I am very satisfied with my own physical health.
- 34. I am very satisfied with the status of my physical
health.
- 54. My present degree of physical health is personally
satisfying to me.
- 74. My current level of physical fitness is very pleasing to
me.
- 94. When I think about my present physical health, I am very
satisfied.
- Subscale # 15. Powerful-Other Health Control: The items
on the Powerful-Other Health Control (POHC) subscale were designed to measure the extent
to which people believe that other more powerful individuals (e.g., friends, family,
health professionals) have control over their own physical health..
- 15. The status of my physical health is determined largely
by other more powerful people.
- 35. My physical health is largely controlled by people other
than myself (e.g., friends, family).
- 55. My health is largely determined by the actions of
powerful others (e.g., health professionals).
- 75. In order to have good health, I have to act in a
pleasing way to other more powerful individuals.
- 95. My physical health is largely determined by people who
have influence and control over me.
- Subscale # 16. Health Self-Schemata: The items on the
Health Self-Schemata (HSS) subscale were designed to measure self-schematic tendencies
associated with one’s health. More specifically, these items were designed to measure
the extent to which people consider themselves as physically health and for whom good
physical health is very important. People who endorse these items not only believe that
they possess the skills and abilities necessary to their own personal physical needs, they
also consider it very important that they are physically healthy.
- 16. Not only am I in good physical health, but it’s
quite important to me that I be in good health.
- 36. Not only do I take care of my physical health, but its
very important to me that I do so.
- 56. Not only am I in good physical health, but it’s
important to me that I stay physically healthy.
- 76. I keep myself physically healthy, and it’s very
important to me that I stay fit and healthy.
- 96. I try to stay in good physical condition, and its
extremely important to me that I do so.
- Subscale # 17. Health Status: The items on the Health
Status (HS) subscale concerns people's assessment of the physical status of their body.
More specifically, these items were designed to measure the extent to which people assess
their body as being in excellent and robust health. People who endorse these items believe
that they are in excellent physical health.
- 17. I am in good physical health.
- 37. My body is in good physical shape.
- 57. I am a well-exercised person.
- 77. My body needs a lot of work in be in excellent physical
shape. (R)
- 97. My physical health is in need of attention. (R)
- Subscale # 18. Health Illness Prevention: The items on
the Health Illness Prevention (HIP) subscale were designed to measure peoples’ belief
that they themselves are in charge of preventing themselves from becoming ill.
- 18. If I am careful to avoid becoming ill, then I will be in
good physical health-shape.
- 38. I can pretty much prevent myself from becoming ill by
taking good care of myself.
- 58. If I look out for my health, then I will stay in good
physical healthy and avoid illness.
- 78. I will be able to avoid any illnesses, if I just take
care of myself.
- 98. If I just pay attention to my health, I will be able to
prevent myself from becoming sick.
- Subscale # 19. Health Depression: Health
Depression (HD) is defined as a tendency to evaluate the health-related aspects of
one’s life in a negative fashion and to feel depressed about the status of one's
physical health.
- 19. I am depressed about my current physical health.
- 39. I am disappointed about the quality of my physical
health.
- 59. When I think about my current physical health, I feel
really down in the dumps.
- 79. I feel unhappy about my physical health.
- 99. I feel sad when I think about my present physical
health.
- Subscale # 20. Internal Health Control: The items on
the Internal Health Control (IHC) subscale refer to people's belief that their health
status is determined by their own personal control. More specifically, these items were
designed to measure people's expectation that they themselves can exert an influence on
their health. People who endorse these items are those who believe that they can determine
whether their physical health is positive or negative.
- 20. I feel like my physical health is something that I
myself am in charge of.
- 40. My health is something that I alone am responsible for.
- 60. The status of my physical health is determined largely
by what I do (and don't do).
- 80. What happens to my physical health is my own doing.
- 100. Being in good physical health is a matter of my own
ability and effort.
- Copyright - 1996
-
- Scoring Instructions for the Multidimensional Health
Questionnaire (MHQ):
- CODING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MHQ ITEMS: The items assigned
to each of the 20 MHQ subscales are repeated every 20 items beginning with item 1 (e.g.,
Subscale 1 = items 1, 21, 41, 61, 81). Any items designated with (R) are recoded so that A
= E, B = D, C = C, D = B, and E = A. Then the items are scored so that A = 0; B = 1; C =
2; D = 3; and E = 4. Next, the 5 items assigned to each subscale are summed so that higher
scores correspond to greater amounts of each respective health-related tendency.
- Permission is granted to individuals to use
the Multidimensional Health Questionnaire for research purposes.
Permission granted by William E. Snell, Jr. on February 12, 1997.
