The cardiac denial of impact scale: a brief, self-report research measure

Abstract

Denial is an important aspect of recovery from cardiac trauma. It has been associated with reduced anxiety, better initial physical and psychological outcomes, decreased retention of information about the illness, and decreased treatment compliance. Although interview methods for assessing denial have been available for some time, they present both psychometric and methodological difficulties that a self-report measure could alleviate. This study provides the initial psychometric evaluation of the self-report Cardiac Denial of Impact Scale. It demonstrated adequate internal consistency as well as good criterion and discriminant validity. The availability of a self-report measure of denial can simplify its assessment in both research and treatment applications.