Measurement invariance across gender and age groups, validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the short-form supportive care needs survey questionnaire (SCNS-SF34)

Edmond Pui Hang Choi,Alice Ng,Janice Wing Hang Tsang,Qiuyan Liao,Wendy Wing Tak Lam,Victor Ho Fun Lee,Conrad C Y Lee,Wing Kin Sze,Inda Soong,Karen Kar Loen Chan

doi:10.1186/s12955-020-01289-0

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the wide use of the Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey Questionnaire (SCNS-SF34), the measurement invariance of the SCNS-SF34 across the main groups—gender and age—which might be of interest in the application of the instrument has never been confirmed. To provide an accurate assessment tool to evaluate the unmet needs of Chinese cancer patients, the present study aimed to assess the measurement invariance of the SCNS-SF34 across gender and age groups and to assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the SCNS-SF34.MethodsThe SCNS-SF34 was administrated to 1106 Chinese cancer patients. Other instruments included the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF), the Short-Form-12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12 v2) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Factor structure, internal construct validity, convergent validity, known-group validity and internal consistency were assessed.ResultsOur data fit the original five-factor model. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated measurement invariance across age and gender groups. The domains of the SCNS-SF34 had moderate correlations with the corresponding domains of the MSAS-SF, the SF-12 v2 and the HADS, which supported convergent validity. Of the 34 items, 33 had an item-total correlation that was corrected for an overlap of > 0.4 to support the internal construct validity. The SCNS-SF34 aptly differentiated patients by age and gender. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.64 to 0.87.ConclusionsWe confirm the measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the SCNS-SF34 across gender and age group. It is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the needs of Chinese patients with cancer.

Highlights

Despite the wide use of the Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey Questionnaire (SCNS-SF34), the measurement invariance of the SCNS-SF34 across the main groups—gender and age—which might be of interest in the application of the instrument has never been confirmed
Higher levels of unmet supportive care needs are significantly correlated with more severe levels of psychological distress and poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [2], which leads to higher health service utilisation and costs [3, 4]
Our study found that the measurement model of the SCNS-SF34 as a patientreported outcome to measure supportive care needs among cancer patients is comparable across gender and age groups

Summary

Introduction

Despite the wide use of the Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey Questionnaire (SCNS-SF34), the measurement invariance of the SCNS-SF34 across the main groups—gender and age—which might be of interest in the application of the instrument has never been confirmed. To provide an accurate assessment tool to evaluate the unmet needs of Chinese cancer patients, the present study aimed to assess the measurement invariance of the SCNS-SF34 across gender and age groups and to assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the SCNS-SF34. Optimising cancer patient-centred care is essential to understand the supportive care needs of cancer patients and to identify any unmet needs [1]. Information on the unmet needs of cancer patients can instigate improvements in health services [1]. The unmet supportive care needs of patients with cancer have been assessed in different populations [1], such information about Chinese cancer populations is still limited even though the Chinese represent 20% of the global figure. There is a need for more research on supportive care needs among Chinese populations

Methods

Results

Conclusion