Screening and assessment for cancer patients' psychosocial support needs: Development and validation of the...

Psychosocial factors can negatively influence the ability to cope with cancer-specific therapy. To identify high-risk patients and to offer need-based care concerning social issues, valid, reliable, and economic instruments are needed. This study aims to develop a tool assessing psychosocial support needs and analyze its psychometric properties.

Based on an extensive literature search, items for the scale of psychosocial risks (PSR) were developed to assess the need for psychosocial support. Overall, N = 343 participants with cancer took part in the study to investigate the psychometric properties of the PSR. The factor structure was examined by using a principal component analysis. Correlations with criteria-related constructs determined the convergent validity. Cut-off scores for the PSR were selected based on receiver-operating characteristics and the calculation of Youden indices.

The principal component analysis suggests a two-factor structure: (1) Psychosocial support need to ensure medical and social care services, and (2) Support need for coping with problems. The predicted correlations confirm the convergent validity. Both scales showed excellent internal consistency (Ensure medical and social care services: Omega = 0.94) and (Coping with problems: Omega = 0.90).

The newly developed scale can provide helpful information regarding psychosocial support needs to professionals (psychotherapists, psychologists, physicians, and social workers) in the psycho-oncological field. Based on this information, specific and personalized interventions for cancer patients can be offered. The PSR is appropriate for assessing specific psychosocial needs to support cancer patients.