Abstract
Objective: The goal of this study was to develop a reliable and valid method for assessing the cancer-related beliefs of parents with a child in treatment for cancer. Method: One hundred twenty-five families (119 mothers, 56 fathers) completed a measure of cancer-related beliefs written to reflect common themes associated with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer. Participants also completed self-report questionnaires used for validation of the Family Illness Beliefs Inventory (FIBI). Results: Principal-components analysis was used to derive a 41-item five-factor solution from the maternal data-Factor 1: Treatment-Related Suffering; Factor 2: Death and Devastation; Factor 3: Caregiver Competence; Factor 4: Connection; and Factor 5: Finding Meaning. Correlations with validation measures supported the factor structure. Paternal data showed similar patterns. Conclusions: The FIBI is a psychometrically sound method for identifying parental cancer-related beliefs. This measure may be helpful in developing and evaluating interventions to reduce parental distress related to childhood cancer and promote adaptive family functioning.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 531-542 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of pediatric psychology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Beliefs
- Childhood cancer
- Families
- Parents
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology