Perceiving Immunity, Shaping Health: The “Perception of Body Immunity (PBI)” Scale

Objective: A growing body of research points to a possible link between health beliefs and physical health. In order to probe this link mechanistically and causally, there is a need to identify and measure specific health beliefs that can predict physical symptoms. In the present study, we address this need by developing and validating a novel scale to assess how people perceive their ability to cope with illnesses: the “Perception of Body's Immunity (PBI)” scale. Methods: Through three studies, we establish the PBI scale's validity, reliability, and its unique connection to various health indicators. Results: Study 1 (N= 206) demonstrates that the PBI scale has good internal consistency and structural validity. Study 2 (N= 132) replicates these findings. Notably, our results from both Studies exhibit significant associations between the PBI scale and physical health, specifically the experience of physical symptoms and daily functioning. This was especially evident among those with diverse clinical conditions (N=56). Finally, Study 3 (N= 87) reveals that PBI has good test-retest reliability, and prospectively predicts physical symptoms and daily functioning over time. Conclusions: We suggest that the PBI scale can be utilized as a valuable tool for researchers and healthcare providers, and provide insights into the interplay between beliefs and health outcomes.