Psychometric investigation of benefit finding among long-term cancer survivors using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Abstract

Purpose Benefit finding has been shown to be beneficial for people with cancer and may be an indication that one is coping adequately with the stress of cancer. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a four-item benefit finding measure from the cancer survivorship supplement of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Methods Long-term survivors (5-10 years post-diagnosis) of breast, prostate, colorectal or lung cancer or melanoma (n=594) completed the MEPS cancer supplement survey in 2013. Four items asked about benefit finding after the cancer: stronger person, coping better, positive changes and having healthier habits. Information on sociodemographics, disease and activity limitations after the cancer was also collected. We examined factor structure, reliability (Kuder-Richardson 20) and validity. Results The four benefit finding items did not appear to measure one factor. Three of the benefit finding items (stronger person, coping better, positive changes) were related to gender, receipt of chemotherapy and activity limitations but not cancer stage, time since diagnosis or income. Having healthier habits was unrelated to any sociodemographic or disease variable. Conclusions Three of the items (stronger person, coping better, positive changes) appeared to have validity as they were related to variables that literature has shown are related to benefit finding. However, having healthier habits is likely measuring a separate but related construct. This short instrument may be used in future studies assessing benefit finding post cancer; however, the four items should be analyzed separately.

Benefit finding in first-ever young and middle-aged patients who had a stroke and their spousal caregivers in China: a longitudinal mixed-methods study protocol

“…From the patient’s perspective, predictors of BF include sociodemographic characteristics, disease-related indicators and psychosocial variables 40 41. Generally, women,42 43 elderly individuals13 and those with a higher level of education and a better socioeconomic status44 are associated with more BF. Severity, stage, diagnosis and time of illness are disease-related predictors of BF 13 45.…”

Financial difficulty, worry about affording care, and benefit finding in long‐term survivors of cancer

“…Benefit finding was measured by 3 dichotomous (yes/no) questions about whether any of the following happened because of the cancer, its treatments, or the lasting effects of treatment: (1) making one a stronger person, (2) coping better with life's challenges, and (3) [the cancer] being a reason to make positive changes. The 3 items were found to be psychometrically sound …”

Introduction of Magnanimous Psychotherapy

“…Only a few studies examined the psychological characteristics of long-term cancer survivors with a good quality of life. A psychometric investigation of benefit findings among long-term cancer survivors showed that being a stronger person, coping better, positive changes and having a healthier lifestyle were benefit findings and beneficial for people with cancer [18]. Psychosocial factors consistently showed the greatest impact on QOL irrespective of clinical characteristics [19].…”