Measuring the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer: validity and reliability of the Family Inventory of Needs--husbands

• Published in: Oncology nursing forum Vol. 25; no. 8; p. 1347
• Main Authors: Kilpatrick, M G, Kristjanson, L J, Tataryn, D J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1998
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; Nursing Assessment - methods; Patient Education as Topic; Reproducibility of Results; Spouses - education; Spouses - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires - standards
• ISSN: 0190-535X

A two-phase study was undertaken to test the Family Inventory of Needs--Husbands (FIN-H), a tool designed to measure the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer and the extent to which these needs are met. Methodologic survey. Phase I: a panel of 6 husbands; phase II: 84 husbands of women with breast cancer. Panel of expert ratings followed by pilot test of the two-part survey. In phase I, husbands assessed the FIN-H for clarity, internal consistency, and content validity. All preset criteria were met. In phase II, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and internal validity were assessed. Internal consistency estimates as measured by Cronbach's standardized alpha coefficients were 0.91 and 0.93. Test-retest correlations were 0.82 and 0.76 (p = 0.0001). Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the FIN-H consists of five factors. Initial results suggest that the FIN-H is reliable and valid. Further testing is needed to confirm these results. Before nurses can address the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer, use of a reliable and valid assessment tool is recommended.