Measures of parents' self-efficacy and perceived barriers to children's sun protection: construct validity and reliability in melanoma survivors

Abstract

Valid and reliable psychosocial measures for parents are lacking in the children's sun protection literature. We examined the construct validity and reliability of measures of parents' self-efficacy and perceived barriers specific to four sun protection behaviors in children: sunscreen, clothing, shade and limiting time outdoors. Melanoma survivors (N = 205) with children aged 12 years and younger completed an interview. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of self-efficacy in which each factor was specific to one of the sun protection behaviors. This structure, consistent with Bandura's conceptualization, suggests using behavior-specific scores. A bifactor model best fit the perceived barriers data. Each item loaded on both a general barriers factor and one of four behavior-specific factors. Based on the magnitude of general factor loadings relative to behavior-specific factor loadings, use of subscale scores or a total score is recommended. Correlations between self-efficacy measures (0.30-0.46) and between perceived barriers measures (0.22-0.42) suggested convergent validity. Correlations between self-efficacy and perceived barriers were strongest within behavior (-0.34 to -0.63), suggesting discriminant validity. Almost all measures were most strongly associated with corresponding behaviors, supporting construct validity. Reliabilities ranged from 0.72 to 0.90. Measures are valid and reliable for use in children's sun protection studies.