Validation and Reliability Testing of a Family Resilience Instrument for Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Caregivers
Abstract
A
Background/Aim: Breast cancer, as the most prevalent non-communicable disease globally, imposes substantial emotional, economic and social burdens on patients and their families during chemotherapy treatment. Consequently, there is a critical need for instruments that assess family resilience. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a culturally appropriate family resilience assessment tool that explores the belief systems, organisational frameworks and communication strategies of families supporting breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods: A pilot study was conducted involving 76 families of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The inclusion criteria were: caregiving for a duration exceeding one month, being at least eighteen years of age, willingness to cooperate and literacy. Data collection occurred from September to December 2024, utilising convenience sampling techniques. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic information and three dimensions of resilience—belief system (13 items), organisational pattern (8 items) and communication process (11 items). Validity was assessed using Pearson's product-moment correlation, while reliability was determined through Cronbach's alpha. Statistical analyses were executed using SPSS Version 26.0.
Results: Most participants were middle-aged (40–59 years) with high school education, have undergone six or more chemotherapy sessions, were unemployed and used national health insurance (BPJS). Reliability analysis showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7). One item was invalid due to a low correlation with the overall score, while the rest were valid.
Conclusion: The questionnaire is valid and reliable for assessing family resilience during chemotherapy care for breast cancer patients, supporting future studies and treatments to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.
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