Description of the IPQ-R GP for the researcher
The IPQ-R GP has been conceived to assess the perception of genetic predisposition to venous
thrombosis (VT) (genetic mutation in Factor V-Leiden). This predisposition may enhance the risk of
developing VT in presence of specific risk situations (i.e. accident, injury, a fall, or a bone fracture, taking
the oral contraceptives, pregnancy or childbirth, etc.).
To adapt the original questionnaire to the needs of our subjects, both symptoms sub-scale and items
related to the lasting of illness were eliminated. In fact, genetic predisposition to VT is not associated with
any physical symptom and, being a genetic condition, it is permanent.
This version of the IPQ-R may be easily adapted to other genetic predisposition by substituting the illness
name "venous thrombosis" with the appropriate one.
IPQ-R GP
ILLNESS PERCEPTION QUESTIONNAIRE (IPQ-R)
GENETIC PREDISPOSITION (GP) VERSION
Name ………………………
Date……………
IP6. My predisposition is a serious condition
IP7. My predisposition has major consequences on my life
IP8. My predisposition does not have much effect on my life
IP9. My predisposition strongly affects the way others see me
IP10. My predisposition has serious financial consequences
IP11. My predisposition causes difficulties for those who are close to me
IP12. There is a lot which I can do to control the risk situations for the illness
which I’m genetically predisposed
IP13. What I do can determine the presence or absence of the risk situations for the
venous thrombosis.
IP14. Being in one of the risk situations depends on me.
IP15. Nothing I do will affect the risk situations.
IP16. I have the power to influence the risk situations.
IP17. My actions will have no affect on the risk situations
IP19. There is very little that can be done to decrease my risk of venous thrombosis
IP20. Behaviours prescribed by the doctors will be effective in preventing me from
having venous thrombosis.
IP21. The negative effects of my predisposition can be prevented by following the
doctors’ behavioural advises.
IP22. Behaviours prescribed by the doctors can control my illness risk.
IP23. There is nothing which can help my condition.
AGREE
STRONGLY
AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
NEITHER AGREE
DISAGREE
DISAGREE
YOUR VIEWS ABOUT YOUR PREDISPOSITION
STRONGLY
We are interested in your personal views of how now see your current predisposition.
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your
predisposition by ticking the appropriate box
IP24. My condition is puzzling to me
IP25. My predisposition is a mystery to me
IP26. I don’t understand my predisposition
IP27. My predisposition doesn’t make any sense to me
IP28. I have a clear picture or understanding of my predisposition
IP33. I get depressed when I think about my predisposition
IP34. When I think about my predisposition I get upset
IP35. My predisposition makes me feel angry
IP36. My predisposition does not worry me
IP37. Having this predisposition makes me feel anxious
IP38. My predisposition make me feel afraid
CAUSES OF MY PREDISPOSITION
C1. Stress or worry
C2. A germ or virus
C3. Accident, injury, a fall, or a bone fracture.
C4. Diet or eating habits
C5. Chance or bad luck
C6. Poor medical care in my past
C7. Surgical interventions
C8. Pollution in the environment
C9. Taking the oral contraceptives
C10. My own behaviour
C11. Others can play a significant role on causing me the illness
C12. Pregnancy or childbirth
C13. My emotional state e.g. feeling down, lonely, anxious, empty
C14. Taking some medicines
C15. Overwork
C16. My mental attitude e.g. thinking about life negatively
C17. Smoking
C18. Ageing
C19. My personality
C20. Family problems
AGREE
STRONGLY
AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
NEITHER AGREE
DISAGREE
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
We are interested in what you consider may be the cause, which could help you to develop venous
thrombosis. As people are very different, there is no correct answer for this question. We are most
interested in your own views about the factors that may contribute to the illness you’re predisposed
rather than what others, including doctors or family, may have suggested to you. Below is a list of
possible cause for the illness you’re predisposed. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree
that they were causes for you by ticking the appropriate box.
In the table below, please list in rank-order the three most important factors that you now believe
may cause the illness you’re predisposed. You may use any of the items from the box above, or
you may have additional ideas or your own.
The most important causes for me:
1)_____________________________________________________________________________
2)_____________________________________________________________________________
3)_____________________________________________________________________________