The Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale: A validation study. (11th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hagan, Teresa L.; Cohen, Susan M.; Rosenzweig, Margaret Q.; Zorn, Kristin; Stone, Clement A.; Donovan, Heidi S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 74:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 976
• Page End: 987
• Publication Date: 2017-12-11
• Subjects: instrument development -- neoplasm -- nursing -- patient advocacy -- power; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.13498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To develop and psychometrically test the validity of the Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale. Background: Female cancer survivors need to self‐advocate to overcome challenges associated with cancer yet no valid measure of self‐advocacy exists. Design: Instrument development. Mixed‐mode cross‐sectional survey design. Participants: We recruited adult females (18+ years; N = 317) with a history of invasive cancer from local and national tumour registries and advocacy organizations to complete online or paper questionnaires. Methods: Between July 2014 ‐ March 2015 to evaluate the construct validity based on evidence of the scale's: (1) internal structure consistent with the underlying model of self‐advocacy; (2) sensitivity to differences between groups known to differ in self‐advocacy skills; (3) relationships between self‐advocacy and key potential predictors (openness and conscientiousness; information engagement; social support) and outcomes (symptom burden and healthcare utilization); (4) relationships between self‐advocacy and related concepts (patient activation; self‐advocacy within another patient population); and (5) relationships between self‐advocacy and criterion measures. Analyses included an exploratory factor analysis, t tests, and bivariate correlations using validated, reliable measures for constructs. Results: Evidence from all five hypotheses supported the construct validity of the Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale. The factor analysis confirmed the three underlying dimensions of self‐advocacy resulting in a 20‐item measure with strong internal consistency that explained almost half of response variance. Conclusion: The Female Self‐Advocacy in Cancer Survivorship Scale is a valid, reliable measure of how well adult female cancer survivors can get their needs met in the face of adversity.