Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ)

Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ)

Emetophobia is a specific phobia of vomiting. It is characterized by a persistent and excessive fear of vomiting, as well as the associated symptoms of nausea, dizziness, and sweating. Emetophobia can have a significant impact on a person’s life, interfering with their work, social life, and relationships.

The Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ) is a self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of emetophobia. The EmetQ was developed by Mark Boschen (2007) and is one of the most widely used measures of emetophobia.

What is emetophobia?

Emetophobia is a specific phobia of vomiting. It is characterized by a persistent and excessive fear of vomiting, as well as the associated symptoms of nausea, dizziness, and sweating. Emetophobia can have a significant impact on a person’s life, interfering with their work, social life, and relationships.

What is the EmetQ?

The Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ) is a self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of emetophobia. The EmetQ was developed by Mark Boschen (2007) and is one of the most widely used measures of emetophobia.

The EmetQ is a 21-item questionnaire that is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 5 = always). The EmetQ measures the following aspects of emetophobia:

  • Avoidance of situations that are associated with vomiting
  • Anxiety about vomiting
  • Panic attacks related to vomiting
  • Interference with daily life due to emetophobia

How is the EmetQ scored?

The EmetQ is scored by summing the item scores. The total score can range from 21 to 105, with higher scores indicating a greater severity of emetophobia.

What is the reliability and validity of the EmetQ?

The EmetQ has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of emetophobia. The EmetQ has good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity.

How is the EmetQ used?

The EmetQ can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Diagnosis: The EmetQ can be used to help diagnose emetophobia.
  • Assessment: The EmetQ can be used to assess the severity of emetophobia.
  • Treatment planning: The EmetQ can be used to help develop a treatment plan for emetophobia.
  • Monitoring progress: The EmetQ can be used to monitor progress in treatment for emetophobia.

What are the limitations of the EmetQ?

The EmetQ has a few limitations, including:

  • It is not a diagnostic tool. The EmetQ should not be used to diagnose emetophobia.
  • It is not a comprehensive measure of emetophobia. The EmetQ only measures a limited number of aspects of emetophobia.
  • It is not a sensitive measure of change. The EmetQ may not be sensitive to small changes in the severity of emetophobia.

Conclusion

The EmetQ is a useful tool for assessing the severity of emetophobia in individuals. The EmetQ has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of emetophobia, and it has been used in a variety of research studies and clinical settings.

References

  • Boschen, M. (2007). The Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ): Development and initial validation of a self-report measure of emetophobia. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21, 1001-1011.

Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ) is a 21-item scale developed by Mark Boschen which is answered on a Likert-scale from 1 (=‘strongly disagree’) to 5 (=‘strongly agree’). It can be used as an outcome measure. The EmetQ has 4 stable factors and shows good internal consistency and validity. The questionnaire contains items on various aspects of emetophobia‚ such as worrying about vomiting‚ bodily sensations‚ fear of vomiting (e.g.‚ ‘I am afraid of becoming nauseous.’)‚ the avoidance of vomit-related situations (e.g.‚ ‘I avoid being around people who look as if they may be sick.’)‚ and the consequences of emetophobia in daily life. The EmetQ is currently being validated but has been presented at conferences.
Boschen‚ M. J. & Riddell‚ T. (2005) Emetophobia Questionnaire (EmetQ). (Unpublished)
The following questionnaire is about measuring the severity of fear of vomiting and vomit. Please read each question carefully and‚ on the 1-5 scale below indicate your response by circling the appropriate number next to each question. Please try to answer as many questions as you can without using the ‘unsure’ response.
1
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5
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Unsure
Agree
Strongly Agree
1.      I notice my stomach begins to turn when exposed to vomit.
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5
2.      I notice other physical anxiety symptoms (e.g. hearth palpitations‚ sweating‚ trembling or shaking) when exposed to vomit.
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3.      Exposure to vomit can cause sickness and/or illness.
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5
4.       If I see vomit‚ I may be sick myself.
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5.       If I smell vomit‚ I may be sick myself.
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6.       I avoid places where others may vomit.
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7.       I avoid adults who may be likely to vomit
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8.       I avoid children who may be likely to vomit
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9.       My concern about vomiting increases when I get anxious.
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10.   I notice when I am anxious‚ my stomach gets upset.
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11.   I become anxious when I feel nauseous.
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12.   It is dangerous to feel nauseous.
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13.   I worry when I feel nausea‚ I may vomit.
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14.   I avoid eating poultry food like chicken because
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15.   I avoid places like fish markets because I may vomit.
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16.   I avoid fast moving activities like rides at the theme park‚ because I may vomit.
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17.   I avoid sea travel (boats‚ etc.) because I may become nauseous/vomit.
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18.   I avoid air travel because I may become nauseous/vomit.
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19.   I avoid other forms of transport because I may become nauseous/vomit.
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20.   I avoid places where there is no medical attention‚ because I become nauseous/vomit.
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21.   I avoid places where there are no facilities to cater if I become nauseous/vomit.
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Boschen & Riddel (2005)
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