Reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the Chinese Life Attitude Self‐rating Questionnaire for Breast Cancer

Abstract

AbstractRationale, Aims and ObjectivesPsychometrics of the Chinese Life Attitude Self‐rating Questionnaire for Breast Cancer (LASQ‐BC) has not yet been conducted in a larger sample of women with breast cancer. This study aimed to examine the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the LASQ‐BC in Chinese mainland female breast cancer patients.MethodThis is a cross‐sectional study. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's α and Guttman split‐half coefficient. Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated via item‐subscale and item‐total score correlations. Factorial validity was estimated using a principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Sensitivity was identified via Cohen's effect size (ES) and an independent sample t‐test between the new and recurrent cases. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to further examine sensitivity of the LASQ‐BC under the influence of newly diagnosed breast cancer (yes vs. no).ResultsA total of 429 patients completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's α of the LASQ‐BC was 0.96, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 for the four subscales (i.e., choice and responsibility, life meaning, benevolence, and life experiences). The Guttman split‐half coefficient was 0.90. The hypothesised item‐subscale and item‐total score correlations were higher than the critical value of 0.50. Four factors were extracted from the 23 items, explaining 69.29% of the total variance. Eligible ES (range: 0.38−0.48) was found in the four subscales and total score between the new and recurrent cases (independent sample t‐test), and under the influence of newly diagnosed breast cancer (yes vs. no; multiple linear regression analysis).ConclusionThe Chinese LASQ‐BC has acceptable reliability, validity, and sensitivity in women with breast cancer of mainland China. It can be used to female breast cancer patients as an invaluable metric and a crucial instrument for assessing and discerning those grappling with a suboptimal life attitude, and in gauging the efficacy of psychological interventions tailored to enhance this perspective.