Validation of the English version of the Scale for Psychosocial Factors in Food Allergy (SPS-FA)

Abstract

Background: The Scale for Psychosocial Factors in Food Allergy (SPS-FA) is based on a biopsychosocial model of health and was developed and validated in Chile to measure interactions between the carer, child and the environment and how that might impact on the carer and food allergy-related symptoms in the child. We sought to validate this scale in an English speaking population and explore its relationship with parental quality of life (QoL). Methods: Parents (n=434) from the general population in the UK, who had children with a clinical diagnosis of food allergy, completed the SPS-FA and validated scales on food allergy specific parental QoL (FAQLPB), parental self-efficacy in food allergy management (FASE-P) and their general mental health (GHQ12). Findings: The SPS-FA had moderate to good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas for overall scale = .86 and sub-scales of parent/child QoL = .82; conflict=.61; social impact=.80). Higher scores on the SPS-FA significantly correlated with poorer parental QoL, self-efficacy and mental health. All predictors explained 59% of the variance in parental QoL with SPS-FA the biggest single predictor (beta=.50). Discussion: The SPS-FA is a valid scale for use in the UK and provides a holistic view of the impact of food allergy on the family. In conjunction with health-related QoL measures, it can be used by health care practitioners to target care for patients. It will also enable the development and evaluation of psychological interventions for specific areas of need in the improvement of food allergy management and quality of life.