Development and psychometric evaluation of the 12-item Polish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire

Abstract

Abstract The Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ) is widely used to assess attention to pain, but no validated Polish version has been previously available. This study aimed to translate the PVAQ into Polish and evaluate its psychometric properties. Two studies were conducted: Study 1 included 418 chronic pain patients recruited online who completed the scale alongside measures of depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, pain intensity, functional limitations, and psychological flexibility. A follow-up was completed by 79% after 30 days. Study 2 involved 148 hospital-recruited chronic pain patients who completed the adapted scale and measures of pain intensity and functional limitations. None of the previously proposed models describing the factor structure of the PVAQ scale adequately fit the data. However, factor analyses indicated that a 12-item version with two correlated factors–Passive Awareness and Active Vigilance–provided acceptable model fit. The Polish PVAQ showed good internal consistency, moderate test–retest reliability, and expected correlations with related constructs. Interestingly, Passive Awareness (but not Active Vigilance) was positively associated with components of psychological flexibility. The Polish 12-item PVAQ is reliable and valid instrument for assessing pain-related attention in chronic pain samples, aiding healthcare professionals in identifying highly vigilant individuals to tailor interventions accordingly.