RESUMEN
Objective: It is important to investigate the association between spousal support and psychology of cancer patients, thus a validated instrument to measure the degree of perceived spousal support is required. We translated and evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sources of Social Support Scale-Malay version (SSSS-Malay) among Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: In this study, the SSSS-Malay and Hope Scale-Malay [used to compare with the SSSS-Malay to assess discriminant validity] were administered to 195 Malaysian cancer patients during baseline assessment. The SSSS-Malay was re-administered 2 months after the baseline assessment during follow-up. Results: The SSSS-Malay total score (Cronbach’s α = 0.70, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.72) and its domains (Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.70 to 0.83, intraclass correlation coefficient ranging from 0.6 to 0.76) exhibited good internal consistencies and good test-retest reliability. The SSSS-Malay also demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validities. However, confirmatory factor analysis of the SSSSMalay showed that it was best fit into a 3-factor model instead of the 4-factor model of the original English version. Conclusion: The SSSS-Malay demonstrated good psychometric properties for use in Malaysian cancer patients.
RESUMEN
Introduction: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change in life that occurs as a result of struggle with highly challenging life crises. There is a growing need to explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in cancer patients, as higher PTG may enhance well-being of patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to translate the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGISF) into the Malay language and evaluate its psychometric properties for assessing Malaysian cancer patients in future studies. Methods: Two parallels forward and backward translations of the PTGI-SF into the Malay language were conducted. The test was administered to 195 cancer patients. Reliability was evaluated by testing internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and calculating the test-retest intra-class correlation coefficient, and validity was examined by determining face, convergent, and discriminant validities and using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF and its five domains demonstrated good internal consistencies and acceptable test-retest reliability. All 10 items of this version were highly correlated with their own domains and thus exhibited convergent validity. Discriminant validity was achieved, as all domains of the Malay PTGI-SF was not highly correlated with the domains of the Source of Social Support Scale. CFA resulted in a bestfitting 5-factor model. Conclusion: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF is a suitable tool for measuring PTG in Malaysian cancer patients.