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The FCR‐1: Initial validation of a single‐item measure of fear of cancer recurrence
Author(s) -
Rudy Lauren,
Maheu Christine,
Körner Annett,
Lebel Sophie,
Gélinas Céline
Publication year - 2020
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.5350
Subject(s) - worry , discriminant validity , concurrent validity , convergent validity , clinical psychology , psychology , medicine , psychometrics , psychiatry , anxiety , internal consistency
Objective Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is characterized by the fear, worry or concern that cancer will come back or progress. The negative effects associated with FCR are consistently identified by cancer survivors as one of their most prominent unmet needs. Current measures of FCR can be long, complex and burdensome for survivors to complete. The objective of the present study is to develop and validate a one‐item measure of FCR. Methods The ability of the FCR‐1 to detect change in FCR over time was analyzed using a repeated‐measures ANOVA and paired‐samples t ‐tests. Pearson correlations were used to measure the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity of the FCR‐1, and a ROC analysis was conducted to determine an optimal clinical cut‐off score. Results The FCR‐1 was found to be responsive to change in FCR over time. It demonstrated concurrent validity with the FCRI ( r = .395, P = .010), and convergent validity with the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale ( r = .493, P = .001) and the Reassurance Questionnaire ( r = .325, P = .044). Discriminant validity was confirmed when the FCR‐1 did not significantly correlate with unrelated measures. A ROC analysis pinpointed an optimal clinical cut‐off score of 45.0. Conclusions The FCR‐1 is a promising tool that can be incorporated in clinical and research settings. Due to its brevity, the care needs of highly distressed patients can be met quickly and efficiently. In research settings, the FCR‐1 can reduce the cognitive burden experienced by survivors.