Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire

What it measures

Measures patients' cognitive and emotional representations of their illness using 8 single-item numerical rating scales and one open-ended causal question. Each item taps a distinct illness perception dimension from Leventhal's Common Sense Model: Consequences (how much the illness affects life), Timeline (how long the illness will last), Personal Control (how much the patient can control symptoms), Treatment Control (how much the treatment helps), Identity (how many symptoms attributed to the illness), Concern (level of concern about the illness), Understanding (how well the patient understands the illness), and Emotional Response (how much the illness affects emotionally). Illness perceptions are among the strongest psychological predictors of health behaviour, treatment adherence, recovery, and quality of life across all chronic conditions.

Representative items

• How much does your illness affect your life? (0 = no affect at all, 10 = severely affects my life) (Consequences)
• How long do you think your illness will continue? (0 = a very short time, 10 = forever) (Timeline)
• How much control do you feel you have over your illness? (0 = absolutely no control, 10 = extreme amount of control) (Personal Control)
• How much do you think your treatment can help your illness? (Treatment Control)
• How concerned are you about your illness? (Concern)

Citation

Broadbent, E., Petrie, K.J., Main, J., & Weinman, J. (2006). The brief illness perception questionnaire. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 60(6), 631–637.