Validity and Reliability of The Cancer Loneliness and The Cancer-Related Negative Social Expectations Scale

Abstract

There is a need for cancer-specific tools to evaluate loneliness and cancer-related negative social expectations before developing interventions for cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Cancer Loneliness and the Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale. Data were collected from 300 cancer patients registered to an oncology outpatient clinic of a University Hospital for this methodological study. In the data collection, Patient Information Form, Cancer Loneliness Scale and Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale and the General Loneliness Scale were used. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of the Cancer Loneliness Scale was found to be.88, Spearman-Brown correlation value was found to be.81, CFI,.98, GFI,.96,chi(2)/SD, 2.99 and RMSEA.08. As for the Negative Social Expectations Scale, Cronbach alpha value was found as.82, Spearman-Brown correlation value.86, CFI 1.00, GFI 1.00, chi(2)/SD 1.33 and RMSEA.02. The study revealed those both scales were highly reliable and indices of fit showed perfect fit. These scales are highly valid and reliable instruments for the Turkish society.