Breast Cancer Self-concept at Prof. Dr. W. Z. Johannes Hospital Kupang

Abstract

<p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p>Breast cancer is the disease that many women fear the most. Breast cancer significantly affects the psychological states of the patients, including self-concept. Patients with breast cancer commonly experience a negative self-concept due to the disease and side effects of the treatment. However, problems of self-concept among patients with breast cancer are rarely investigated by nurses. Furthermore, no measurement tool specifically measures the self-concept of breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the self-concept questionnaire. This study used a case study research design to measure the self-concept of breast cancer patients using a newly developed questionnaire, namely the Merlin Breast Cancer Self-Concept Questionnaire. This questionnaire will be tested on breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in the hospital. The result showed a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.909 for the validity and 0.500-0.790 for the reliability of the instrument. Merlin Breast Cancer Self-Concept Questionnaire was evident to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure self-concept among breast cancer patients. This questionnaire is feasible for use to measure self-concept among breast cancer patients. Implication for practice: This questionnaire will greatly help the clinic nurse in measuring the patient's self concept. Psychological problems especially self-concept can be examined to improve