OBJECTIVE: The Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R), widely used to assess illness perceptions, may fail to measure unique characteristics of different illnesses. This study modified and validated the IPQ-R for breast cancer survivors to provide detailed understanding of the specific illness perceptions held by these patients. DESIGN: Initial modifications were made following qualitative interviews and were revised in a think-aloud study. The modified scale was tested in 753 breast cancer survivors prescribed tamoxifen. Modifications included adding a tamoxifen consequences scale and adapting the timeline scales to measure beliefs around risk of recurrence and cure. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the modified questionnaire and an exploratory factor analysis on the causal beliefs scale. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity were also examined. RESULTS: The proposed eight-factor structure showed acceptable model fit, with high loadings and good reliability for all subscales. Correlations between subscales were consistent with theory and previous research. CONCLUSIONS: The IPQ-BCS is valid and reliable, and provides unique understanding of specific perceptions held by this population, including beliefs surrounding risk of recurrence and consequences of ongoing hormonal treatment. Identifying these perceptions will aid development of interventions targeting depression, fear of recurrence and medication non-adherence.
OBJECTIVE: The Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R), widely used to assess illness perceptions, may fail to measure unique characteristics of different illnesses. This study modified and validated the IPQ-R for breast cancer survivors to provide detailed understanding of the specific illness perceptions held by these patients. DESIGN: Initial modifications were made following qualitative interviews and were revised in a think-aloud study. The modified scale was tested in 753 breast cancer survivors prescribed tamoxifen. Modifications included adding a tamoxifen consequences scale and adapting the timeline scales to measure beliefs around risk of recurrence and cure. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the modified questionnaire and an exploratory factor analysis on the causal beliefs scale. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity were also examined. RESULTS: The proposed eight-factor structure showed acceptable model fit, with high loadings and good reliability for all subscales. Correlations between subscales were consistent with theory and previous research. CONCLUSIONS: The IPQ-BCS is valid and reliable, and provides unique understanding of specific perceptions held by this population, including beliefs surrounding risk of recurrence and consequences of ongoing hormonal treatment. Identifying these perceptions will aid development of interventions targeting depression, fear of recurrence and medication non-adherence.
Authors: Lois J Surgenor; Deborah L Snell; Richard J Siegert; Steven Kelly; Richard Flint; Grant Coulter Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings Date: 2020-03
Authors: J W Ankersmid; F K Lansink Rotgerink; L J A Strobbe; C F van Uden-Kraan; S Siesling; C H C Drossaert Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2022-07-30 Impact factor: 4.624
Authors: Jet W Ankersmid; Noel Engels; Janine C M Prick; Mariska Quirina Nikita Hackert; Steven Teerenstra; Sabine Siesling; Constance H C Drossaert; Luc J A Strobbe; Yvonne E A van Riet; René M A van den Dorpel; Willem Jan W Bos; Paul B van der Nat; Renske M van den Berg-Vos; Sander M van Schaik; Mirjam M Garvelink; Philip J van der Wees; Cornelia F van Uden-Kraan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-08-01 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Sophie M C Green; David P French; Christopher D Graham; Louise H Hall; Nikki Rousseau; Robbie Foy; Jane Clark; Catherine Parbutt; Erin Raine; Benjamin Gardner; Galina Velikova; Sally J L Moore; Jacqueline Buxton; Samuel G Smith Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-08-24 Impact factor: 2.908