The Validation Study of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics−6 Scale Among Patients With Cancer in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:The study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 (SAVE-6) scale among patients with cancer who are in serious situations in the current COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe survey included questions on the participants' demographic information, clinical history of cancer (including cancer type, stage, current treatment or diagnosis of complete remission), and scores on rating scales, including the SAVE-6 scale, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results determined that the model fits the single factor structure of the SAVE-6 scale among patients with cancer. The multi-group CFA showed that SAVE-6 can measure the anxiety response in a similar way across multiple variables, such as sex, presence of clinical depression, being in a state of complete remission, or currently undergoing cancer treatment. The SAVE-6 scale showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.819) and convergent validity with the rating scales, such as CAS [r = 0.348 (95% CI, 0.273–0.419), p < 0.001] and PHQ-9 items score [r = 0.251 (95% CI, 0.172–0.328), p < 0.001].ConclusionsThis study confirms SAVE-6 as a reliable and valid rating scale for measuring the anxiety response of patients with cancer during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Application of Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 to Measure the Anxiety Response of Cold Chain Practitioners During the COVID-19 Post-Pandemic Era in China

“…We have conducted several studies exploring the reliability and validity of the SAVE-9 or SAVE-6 scales among special populations at a high risk of infection in this pandemic, such as schoolteachers, 59 public workers, 28 or cancer patients. 30 This study was conducted among cold chain practitioners as a special population. Second, the survey was conducted anonymously online, without face-to-face contact with the participants.…”

Catastrophizing Maladaptive Coping Affects the Association Between Viral Anxiety and Fear of Progression in Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It is a subcategory of the SAVE-9 scale, which was originally developed for evaluating healthcare workers’ stress and anxiety in response to viral epidemics [ 18 ]. The SAVE-6 scale was evaluated, and while it was already administered to cancer patients, it was confirmed to be applicable to the general population [ 19 ]. Respondents answer the 6 items of the SAVE-6 using a 5-point scale, which ranges from 0 (never) to 4 (always), and a higher score correlates to an increased degree of anxiety response to viral epidemics.…”

“…18 The SAVE-6 scale was evaluated, and while it was already administered to cancer patients, it was confirmed to be applicable to the general population. 19 Respondents answer the 6 items of the SAVE-6 using a 5-point scale, which ranges from 0 (never) to 4 (always), and a higher score correlates to an increased degree of anxiety response to viral epidemics. The cutoff score has been defined as ≥15, corresponding to at least a mild degree of generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, score ≥5) among the general population, and is compatible to a result of at least moderate functional impairment, based on the Work and Social Adjustment Scale score (≥11) among cancer patients.…”

Central Symptoms of Insomnia in Relation to Depression and COVID-19 Anxiety in General Population: A Network Analysis

“…We developed the 6-item viral anxiety subscale as the SAVE-6 scale which can measure one’s viral anxiety among the general population. It was validated and showed good internal consistencies in various populations [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 4.…”