| 26-item version | 18-item version | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Factor loadings |  | Factor loadings | |||
Items | Item-total correlation | Factor 1 | Factor 2 | Item-total correlation | Factor 1 | Factor 2 |
13. I avoid making plans in case I have problems with my IBS | 0.706 | 0.936 | -0.075 | 0.699 | 0.950 | -0.083 |
12. I avoid going out in case I have problems with my IBS | 0.726 | 0.894 | -0.020 | 0.721 | 0.909 | -0.033 |
26. I avoid staying away from home overnight in case my IBS flares up | 0.579 | 0.859 | -0.159 | 0.595 | 0.847 | -0.130 |
21. I avoid certain social situations (e.g., restaurants) because of my IBS | 0.655 | 0.794 | -0.016 | 0.668 | 0.758 | 0.035 |
20. I avoid certain work situations (e.g., meetings) because of my IBS | 0.736 | 0.794 | 0.086 | 0.752 | 0.758 | 0.146 |
14. I carry other items (e.g., wet wipes, sanitary towels, spare underwear) in case my IBS flares up | 0.617 | 0.683 | -0.110 | 0.608 | 0.682 | -0.121 |
17. I avoid sex in case my IBS flares up (and causes embarrassment) | 0.559 | 0.682 | -0.161 | 0.551 | 0.716 | -0.207 |
15. I take medication (e.g., before going out) just in case my IBS flares up | 0.683 | 0.665 | 0.017 | 0.704 | 0.599 | 0.100 |
22. I avoid certain foods (e.g., dairy products, spicy foods) because of my IBS | 0.665 | 0.626 | 0.114 | 0.667 | 0.586 | 0.155 |
19. I ask for reassurance about my IBS | 0.690 | 0.610 | 0.267 | 0.706 | 0.559 | 0.341 |
16. I carry medication with me in case my IBS flares up | 0.693 | 0.516 | 0.125 | 0.725 | 0.439 | 0.221 |
24. When I have diarrhea I do things to ease it (e.g. take prescribed medication, take alternative medication) | 0.623 | 0.436 | 0.122 | Â | - | - |
10. I avoid certain foods when I have bowel problems | 0.600 | 0.301 | 0.211 | Â | - | - |
9. I avoid exercise when I have stomach pains | 0.511 | 0.290 | 0.151 | Â | - | - |
11. I wear baggy clothing when my stomach feels bloated or distended | 0.463 | 0.252 | 0.112 | Â | - | - |
6. I spend more time on the toilet than I ideally would like | 0.632 | -0.087 | 0.733 | 0.655 | -0.068 | 0.694 |
4. After opening my bowels I check for blood | 0.453 | -0.170 | 0.703 | 0.487 | -0.167 | 0.686 |
5. After opening my bowels I check my stool for abnormalities | 0.526 | -0.170 | 0.701 | 0.574 | -0.188 | 0.712 |
3. I strain when opening my bowels | 0.635 | 0.107 | 0.650 | 0.640 | 0.127 | 0.603 |
25. I am constantly aware of my stomach | 0.752 | 0.117 | 0.639 | 0.759 | 0.032 | 0.733 |
7. I often go to the toilet to open my bowels and then do not pass anything | 0.564 | 0.019 | 0.545 | 0.581 | 0.053 | 0.482 |
18. When I go out, I make sure I know where the nearest toilet is | 0.741 | 0.366 | 0.441 | 0.746 | 0.295 | 0.525 |
8. I often go to the toilet to pass water and find I open my bowels | 0.476 | 0.125 | 0.426 | Â | - | - |
1. I eat specific foods to help me open my bowels more | 0.481 | 0.022 | 0.399 | Â | - | - |
2. I eat specific foods to help me open my bowels less | 0.491 | 0.240 | 0.393 | Â | - | - |
23. After I open my bowels, I wipe more than I would like | 0.609 | 0.264 | 0.390 | Â | - | - |
 | Eigenvalue | 9.63 | 1.57 | Eigenvalue | 7.89 | 1.38 |
 | Variance (%) | 37.03% | 43.06% | Variance (%) | 43.84% | 51.51% |
 | Cronbach’s α =0.93 | Cronbach’s α = 0.92 |