Article

Development and Psychometric Properties of the Self-Blame Attributions for Cancer Scale

Kalon R. Eways

Kymberley K. Bennett

Jessica L. Hamilton

Kadie M. Harry

Jacob Marszalek

Mary-Joy O. Marsh

Elizabeth J. Wilson

self-blame, attributions, cancer, behavioral self-blame, characterological self-blame
ONF 2020, 47(1), 79-88. DOI: 10.1188/20.ONF.79-88

Objectives: To adapt the Cardiac Self-Blame Attributions Scale into the Self-Blame Attributions for Cancer Scale (SBAC) for use in patients with cancer and analyze its psychometric properties.

Sample & Setting: 113 patients receiving radiation therapy at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Methods & Variables: The SBAC and other self-report measures were administered during outpatient oncology appointments for radiation therapy to establish the psychometric properties of the SBAC.

Results: A two-factor structure represented behavioral and characterological self-blame attributions. Reliability estimates for each factor were excellent and evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was found, indicating support for the SBAC as a valid and reliable measure of self-blame attributions in patients with cancer.

Implications for Nursing: The SBAC may help healthcare providers, including nursing staff, to identify the self-blame patterns exhibited by patients with cancer. Future research can assess the reliability and validity of SBAC across stages of treatment and establish the predictive validity of the scale in individuals with cancer.

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