Highlights
- •The PSR is a suitable instrument for assessing the support needs of cancer patients with regard to psychosocial problems.
- •Cut-off values of support needs items allow its use as a screening instrument in everyday clinical practice.
- •The PSR can provide information regarding further treatment options and thus support the implementation of personalized, needs-based care.
Abstract
Purpose
Psychosocial factors can negatively influence the ability to cope with cancer-specific
therapy. To identify high-risk patients and to offer need-based care concerning social
issues, valid, reliable, and economic instruments are needed. This study aims to develop
a tool assessing psychosocial support needs and analyze its psychometric properties.
Methods
Based on an extensive literature search, items for the scale of psychosocial risks
(PSR) were developed to assess the need for psychosocial support. Overall, N = 343 participants with cancer took part in the study to investigate the psychometric
properties of the PSR. The factor structure was examined by using a principal component
analysis. Correlations with criteria-related constructs determined the convergent
validity. Cut-off scores for the PSR were selected based on receiver-operating characteristics
and the calculation of Youden indices.
Results
The principal component analysis suggests a two-factor structure: (1) Psychosocial
support need to ensure medical and social care services, and (2) Support need for
coping with problems. The predicted correlations confirm the convergent validity.
Both scales showed excellent internal consistency (Ensure medical and social care
services: Omega = 0.94) and (Coping with problems: Omega = 0.90).
Conclusion
The newly developed scale can provide helpful information regarding psychosocial support
needs to professionals (psychotherapists, psychologists, physicians, and social workers)
in the psycho-oncological field. Based on this information, specific and personalized
interventions for cancer patients can be offered. The PSR is appropriate for assessing
specific psychosocial needs to support cancer patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 17, 2022
Accepted:
November 7,
2022
Received in revised form:
November 3,
2022
Received:
September 1,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
