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A test of the psychometric properties of the cancer locus of control scale in Greek patients with advanced cancer
Author(s) -
Mystakidou Kyriaki,
Tsilika Eleni,
Parpa Efi,
Panagiotou Irene,
Galanos Antonis,
Gouliamos Athanasios,
Watson Maggie
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.2014
Subject(s) - locus of control , test (biology) , scale (ratio) , cancer , medicine , psychology , geography , biology , developmental psychology , cartography , paleontology
Objective The study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Cancer Locus of Control (CLOC) scale on a Greek sample of advanced cancer patients. Methods The scale was translated with the forward–backward procedure to Greek. The CLOC scale was administered to 140 advanced cancer patients. It was administered twice, with a 3‐day interval, to 100 (of the 140) eligible patients with advanced cancer. Together with the CLOC scale, the patients also completed the Greek Mental Adjustment to Cancer (G‐MAC) scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using the AMOS 7.0 analysis. The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficients), test–retest (Spearman's r value) of the instrument, and inter‐item correlations. Construct validity was assessed using the G‐MAC scale, interscale correlations, item–scale correlations, and scales–total correlations. Results The homogeneity of the subscales proved to be satisfactory ( α coefficient ranged from 0.713 to 0.786). Overall test–retest reliability was satisfactory at p < 0.0005. Construct validity has shown moderate correlations with G‐MAC p < 0.0005. Interscale and inter‐item correlations were satisfactory at p < 0.05. Conclusions The results suggest that the Greek version of CLOC administered in cancer patients treated in a palliative care unit is a reliable and valid clinical instrument. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.