Development of a reliable and valid cancer-related communication scale for use between breast cancer survivors and their adolescent children

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the contents of communication between breast cancer survivors and their adolescent children and to develop a reliable and valid communication scale on maternal breast cancer. Methods: The items were extracted from expert and cognitive interviews. The pilot test comprised self-report questionnaires distributed among 97 adolescents aged 12-18 years whose mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer; a retest was conducted on 34 adolescents. Validity was confirmed by testing factorial, known-groups, convergent, and discriminant validity. Reliability was confirmed by measuring internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results: The mean age of the participants was 14.8 ± 2.0 years, and 51 (52.6%) of them were female. The average age of being informed about maternal breast cancer was 12.5 ± 2.7 years. Confirmatory factor analysis supported 14 items and a 3-factor model, which included expression of negative feelings (first factor), sharing information about breast cancer (second factor), and relationship with the mother (third factor): χ2/df = 1.21, goodness-of-fit index = .892, comparative fit index = .973, root mean square error of approximation = .047, and Akaike information criterion = 154.074. For convergent validity, the family adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve scale confirmed weak correlations for the total, second factor, and third factor scores. Cronbach's α for the total, first, second, and third factors were.863, .764, .882, and.810, respectively. Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the communication scale were confirmed. The scale can help nurses understand and evaluate mother-adolescent communication and devise interventions for facilitating informative, effective, and open discussions regarding maternal breast cancer.