Journal
NOISE & HEALTH
Volume 14, Issue 60, Pages 215-223Publisher
WOLTERS KLUWER MEDKNOW PUBLICATIONS
DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.102956
Keywords
General sensitivity; multiple chemical sensitivity; noise sensitivity; psychosocial factors; somatic health
Funding
- Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics
- Finnish Work Environment Fund [109008, 111005]
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Noise sensitivity is considered to be a self-perceived indicator of vulnerability to stressors in general and not noise alone. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has to some extent been accompanied by noise sensitivity, indicating a moderate correspondence between them. The aim of this study is to investigate if the Weinsteins Noise Sensitivity Scale and Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventorys (QEESI) Chemical Intolerance Subscale can differentiate noise sensitivity and MCS as different entities, and if there are overlaps in the characteristics of noise sensitivity and MCS. In 2002, 327 individuals (166 men, 161 women; age range 45 - 66 years) from the Finnish Twin Cohort answered a questionnaire on noise-related and MCS items. Somatic, psychological, and lifestyle factors were obtained through earlier questionnaires for the same individuals. Both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFA and EFA) of the questionnaire items on the Weinsteins Noise Sensitivity Scale and QEESIs Chemical Intolerance Subscale indicated the presence of three factors - Noise Sensitivity, Chemical Sensitivity, and Ability to Concentrate factors - arising from the forming of two factors from the items of the Weinsteins scale. In the regression analyses, among all subjects, the Noise Sensitivity Factor was associated with neuroticism and smoking, and the Chemical Sensitivity Factor was associated with allergies and alcohol use. The study indicates that the Weinsteins Noise Sensitivity Scale and QEESIs Chemical Intolerance Subscale differentiate noise sensitivity and MCS as different entities.
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