Completing a postal health questionnaire did not affect anxiety or related measures: randomized controlled trial

Reactivity of measurement in health psychology: How much of a problem is it? What can be done about it?

“…Furthermore, whereas the studies of behaviour yield generally small effects of measurement, in the studies of measurement reactivity of emotion, effects of medium size can be obtained. This elevated anxiety and depression due to measurement does not appear to persist into the longer term (Farmer & Doll, 2005;French et al, 2009). This is congruent with previous research showing that elevated anxiety in the face of threatening information resolves within a day or two (e.g., Leventhal et al, 1997).…”

“…Scores on the short form of the STAI did not differ between groups at 12 months. In the second study, people identified from general practice records as being at elevated risk of diabetes were either sent a questionnaire at baseline and 3 months, or at 3 months only (French et al , 2009). There were no significant differences at 3 months on either the short form of the STAI or the HADS.…”

“…In both the Johnston (1999, Study 3) and Sharpe and Gilbert (1998) studies, a researcher was present when the measures were completed, and the lag between the two occasions of measurement was either 1 day or 1 week. Two further studies have examined whether these reductions in distress upon repeated measurement can also be obtained from postal surveys, when researchers are absent and with longer lags between occasions of measurement (Farmer & Doll, 2005; French et al , 2009). In the first study, people who had siblings with diabetes were screened and completed a baseline questionnaire, and were then randomized to receive measures at 1, 6, and 12 months or 12 months only (Farmer & Doll, 2005).…”

Predictors of anxiety and depression among people attending diabetes screening: A prospective cohort study embedded in the ADDITION (Cambridge) randomized control trial

“…It would be useful to collect baseline data on anxiety and depression before an invitation to screening is sent, as this would help to determine whether those who choose not to attend screening are more, or less, anxious and depressed than screening attenders. Studies should be encouraged to include pre‐screening questionnaires, particularly now that research suggests that completing a postal questionnaire about health risk does not lead to an increase in anxiety or depression (French et al , 2009).…”

Illness Perceptions Among Adults at Risk for Diabetes

“…As used in the study by French and colleagues 20 that assessed the psychological impact of diabetes screening, these symptoms included “frequently feeling thirsty” (D); “sore throat” (ND); “blurred vision” (D); “frequent visits to the toilet” (D); “stiff joints” (ND); “frequent headaches” (ND); “weight loss” (D); “breathlessness” (ND); “upset stomach” (ND); and “lack of energy” (D). Diabetes-related symptoms were examined separately and also tallied, with the latter generating a total number of symptoms ranging from 0 to 5.…”