Further Validation of the Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire in the Italian Context: Results From Classical and Modern Test Theory.

The Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire (PIQ) is a valuable instrument to measure persecutory ideation. The aim of this study is to validate the scale in the Italian context and to extend the study of its psychometric properties using approaches from both classical and modern test theories. The results of the study, involving 700 individuals, confirmed the one-factor structure and the good validity and reliability of the scale. Full metric invariance and partial scalar and strict invariance were also supported across gender, age, and education level groups. Rasch analysis indicated that the 5-point response scale is well-functioning and that the PIQ is most appropriate to measure high levels of persecutory ideation. The results contribute to a better understanding of the measurement properties of the PIQ. The paper discusses the advantages and contributions of each method used to explore the measurement properties of the scale.

(Un)disclosed. Disease disclosure in people living with rheumatic diseases: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about disease-related disclosure (DD) in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). We aim to investigate DD behaviors and to explore which socio-demographic, clinical and psychological factors play a role in this self-disclosure process among patients with RMDs. METHODS: A cross-sectional Italian nationwide study captured DD in RMDs in different contexts (workplace, family, friends, partner, social networks). An ad hoc survey was developed and disseminated by the Patients' Association ALOMAR ODV (Lombard Association for Rheumatic Diseases) between June and July 2020. Patient demographics, clinical data, and questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, anticipated stigma, patient health engagement, perceived social support, and perceived general health status were collected. RESULTS: There were 376 rheumatic patients who completed the survey. There were 73.9% of the participants who talk to others about their RMD "sometimes"; 18.7% disclose their RMD "always/very often", while 7.4% "never" talk about their RMD. A significant association was detected between DD and both perceived visibility (P = .04) and psychological support (P = .01). Moreover, participants who never/sometimes disclose their RMD reported significantly lower scores in the "Total" Social Support (P < .01) and in the "Friends" subscale (P < .001) compared to others. Psychological support and the "Friends" subscale were the only significant predictors of DD (both P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of RMD patients disclosed their disease "sometimes". The DD behavior is not associated with any specific demographic or clinical variables. Further research on the subject might help to foster better DD decision-making processes for rheumatic patients in different contexts of daily life.