Development and psychometric evaluation of the Aversion to Bowel Cancer Screening Scale

Abstract

Objective Avoidance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is well documented with emotional barriers deterring screening intention and uptake. However, the assessment of such aversion is limited by the available instruments focusing on siloed emotions or screening procedures, limiting relevance to the complete process of decision‐making in the CRC context. Methods To address this gap, psychometric properties of the newly developed Aversion to Bowel Cancer Screening Scale (ABCSS) were assessed using data from 640 CRC screening eligible asymptomatic community members. Item review and piloting reduced 179 items to the initial 29‐item scale. Using a holdout sample technique, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and validity checks were conducted. Results A three‐factor model (Fecal Occult Blood Test [FOBT] Aversion, Colonoscopy Aversion and Health Conscientiousness) with 21 items was identified. Analyses of the 21‐item ABCSS indicated excellent reliabilities for the scale and subscales (α = .91 to .95). Correlations with relevant existing measures, intention and behaviour indicated good construct validity. Conclusion The ABCSS is a valid measure of aversion to CRC screening for asymptomatic community members facing the decision to undertake CRC screening. This instrument may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the decision‐making process for CRC screening.

Development and psychometric validation of the Colorectal Cancer Literacy Scale—Uruguay Version

“…A psychometric validation of a measure assessing cultural constructs related to breast and cervical cancer screening in Latina populations yielded one factor related to disposition toward cancer prevention (i.e., negative beliefs about health professionals, sociocultural deterrents to screening), and a second factor related to attitudes and beliefs about cancer [i.e., catastrophic disease expectations ( 63 )]. In a psychometric evaluation of a scale measuring aversion to CRC screening, one subscale encompassed related emotions ( 64 ). Our findings are also consistent with extant conceptualizations of disease-specific health literacy [e.g., ( 65 )] and cultural and conceptual knowledge [e.g., ( 26 , 63 )].…”