The Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale – Revised: Its predictive value for avoidance behavior

Disgust propensity appears involved in psychopathology. However, current disgust propensity indices display inflated correlations with psychopathology indices due to conceptual overlap. The recently developed Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale – Revised (DPSS-R) is unique in that it measures disgust propensity irrespective of specific elicitors. Although psychometric research confirmed its factor-structure, its predictive validity remains to be established. Therefore, the goal of this study is to test its predictive validity for avoidance behavior in a series of disgusting tasks. Preselected participants (N = 60) with varying levels of disgust propensity engaged in seventeen behavioral tasks. Supporting its predictive validity, higher DPSS-R scores were associated with completing fewer behavioral actions. Additionally, the DPSS-R had added predictive value over and above traditional trait disgust indices.