Abstract
This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties and the factor structure of the Portuguese version of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-Suns). The sample comprises 151 cancer survivors from the Azores (Portugal), who completed a survey assessing unmet needs (SF-Suns), psychological symptoms (HADS) and quality of life (QLQ-C30). A Confirmatory Factorial Analysis (CFA) and an Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) were conducted to assess the factorial structure of the SF-Suns. The results of the CFA indicated that the original SF-Suns model did not present an adequate fit to the data. Therefore, an EFA was conducted to explore the factor structure of the scale in the current sample. The resulting four-factor structure differed from the structure of the original version of the scale. The measure presented adequate internal consistency (good Cronbach’s alpha values for each factor and for the total scale) and showed convergent validity (moderate correlations with anxiety, depression and some quality of life dimensions). The Portuguese version of the SF-Suns is a reliable and psychometrically valid measure for evaluating Azorean cancer survivors’ unmet needs. The dissemination of its use can allow tailoring specific clinical and psychotherapeutic responses to their needs.
Highlights
In Portugal, the mortality rate of cancer patients has been decreasing as a result of recent innovative treatments, among other aspects, and despite the tendency toward an increase in new cases of cancer – 3% per year (Direção Geral da Saúde [DGS], 2017)
This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties and the factor structure of the Portuguese version of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-Suns)
This study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the SF-Suns among Azorean cancer survivors
Summary
In Portugal, the mortality rate of cancer patients has been decreasing as a result of recent innovative treatments, among other aspects, and despite the tendency toward an increase in new cases of cancer – 3% per year (Direção Geral da Saúde [DGS], 2017). Research shows that even after finishing treatments, survivors can still express unmet needs (e.g., DGS, 2017; Jacobs & Shulman, 2017; Jimenez et al, 2017; Oancea & Cheruvu, 2016; O’Hea et al, 2016; Tang et al, 2015; Wang et al, 2017). The lack of professional skills for identifying and assessing survivors’ needs can lead to the inadequate referral to specialized services (e.g., Oancea & Cheruvu, 2016; O’Hea et al, 2016), aggravating psychological adjustment issues (e.g., Inhestern et al, 2017; Jean & Syrjala, 2017; Stanton et al, 2015). The provision of care to these survivors implies that the screening and assessment of needs become integrated into the routine of care (Lai-Kwon & Jefford, 2017; Oancea & Cheruvu, 2016)
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