Psychometric Evaluation of a Korean Version of the Cancer Survivors' Self-efficacy Scale

Abstract

Background: Self-efficacy has become the target outcome of many self-management interventions for cancer survivors. However, no measurement is available that can be used to measure cancer-specific self-efficacy in Korea.

Objective: The aim of this study was to cross-culturally evaluate the reliability and validity of a Korean version of the Cancer Survivors' Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES-K).

Methods: We translated the original version of the CSSES (11 items) and created a Korean version. We then conducted a validation study with 204 cancer survivors who had completed their primary treatment. We conducted psychometric evaluation using item analysis, factorial construct validity (exploratory factor analysis and confirmative factor analysis), hypothesis testing construct validity, and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α).

Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed 2 subscales for which model fitting was appropriate-"self-efficacy for managing health problems" (5 items) and "self-efficacy for seeking help and support" (5 items). Hypothesis testing construct validity was confirmed showing significant moderate correlations between the CSSES-K and general self-efficacy (r = 0.511, P < .001), anxiety (r = -0.596, P < .001), depression (r = -0.554, P < .001), and health-related quality of life (r = 0.586, P < .001). The internal consistency of the CSSES-K of total scale and subscales was high (Cronbach's α = .86-.92).

Conclusions: The results supported that the CSSES-K was valid and reliable in measuring self-efficacy among Korean cancer survivors after cancer treatment.

Implications for practice: Our findings suggest that the CSSES-K can be effectively used for measuring self-efficacy in Korean cancer survivors.