Development and Validation of the Health Competence Beliefs Inventory in Young Adults With and Without a History of Childhood Cancer

Abstract

Background Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer are a vulnerable population. Health beliefs may be related to necessary follow-up care. Purpose This study seeks to develop a measure of health beliefs for adolescents and young adults with and without a history of cancer. Methods Inductive and deductive methods and focus groups were used to develop the Health Competence Beliefs Inventory. Cancer survivors (n=138) and comparison participants (n=130) completed the Health Competence Beliefs Inventory and other measures. Healthcare providers reported current medical problems. Results A series of iterative exploratory factor analyses generated a 21-item four-factor solution: (1) Health Perceptions; (2) Satisfaction with Healthcare; (3) Cognitive Competence; and (4) Autonomy. Survivors reported significantly different Health Competence Beliefs Inventory scale scores than comparisons (p<.05). The Health Competence Beliefs Inventory was associated with beliefs, affect, quality of life, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and medical problems. Conclusions The Health Competence Beliefs Inventory is a promising measure of adolescent and young adult perceptions of health and well-being.

The Role of Beliefs in the Relationship Between Health Problems and Posttraumatic Stress in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

“…The Health Competence Beliefs Inventory (HCBI) (DeRosa et al, 2011) was developed using an iterative process of inductive and deductive methods. A multi-disciplinary team developed items that were pilot tested, modified, and then subjected to a large validation study with AYAs who survived cancer and who did not have history of chronic illness.…”

“…Participants rate the extent to which they agree with the statements on a four point scale. Higher scores indicate beliefs that are more adaptive and that have been found to relate to positive psychosocial functioning (DeRosa et al, 2011). Specifically, higher scores on the subscales indicate positive beliefs about health status, cognitive abilities, and ability to function autonomously, and greater satisfaction with healthcare.…”

“…In order to assess beliefs about health specifically relevant to AYAs, the Health Competence Beliefs Inventory (HCBI) (DeRosa et al, 2011) was developed. Health competence beliefs refer to a multidimensional set of perceptions about health and well-being, including beliefs about current and future health concerns, ability to manage medical issues, and ability to relate to others (DeRosa et al, 2011). Recent findings from our work indicate that AYA survivors have less competent health beliefs than controls (Kazak et al, 2010).…”

Profiles of Health Competence Beliefs Among Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

“…Internal consistency for each of the four factors was strong in this sample (a = 0.72-0.87). 12 Validation measures. A demographic questionnaire and measures of psychological distress, health status, and treatment history were used to validate the clinical relevance of the profiles.…”

“…8 Beliefs are cognitive appraisals and interpretations about oneself and the world. 11 In the 21-item Health Competence Beliefs Inventory (HCBI), an empirically derived multidimensional scale, 12 four types of beliefs relating to YA health and well-being were identified. Health Perceptions reflect survivors' beliefs about their vulnerability and risk for health problems.…”