Turkish validity and reliability of the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS-T)

Abstract

Objectives This study is aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Cancer Stigma Scale for the Turkish population (CASS-T). Methods The sample of the study consisted of 412 students of a foundation university located in Ankara, Turkey. The reliability of the CASS was evaluated using the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient and item-total score correlations. Exploratory factor analyses were applied to examine the factor structure of the scale and its construct validity. To test the time invariance of the scale, the relationships between the scores obtained from the first and second applications were examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of CASS-T was 0.83. In the factor analysis, it was confirmed that the scale has a six-dimensional structure in parallel to original version, namely Avoidance, Severity, Responsibility, Policy opposition, Awkwardness, and Discrimination. The ICC values all remained in the range that indicates the reliability of the 0.63–0.71 to be substantial. The contribution of the six factors of the CASS-T scale to the variance is 57.8. Significance in results The Turkish version of the CASS was confirmed to have good reliability and validity for evaluating stigma toward cancer in Turkish society.

Kanser Damga Ölçeği'nin Türkçe Geçerlik ve Güvenilirliğinin Değerlendirilmesi

“…In The fact that the scale has a seven-point Likert proven that awareness about cancer makes a difference in stigma scores. 24 In our study, it was thought that the difference in test-retest scores was caused by the awareness activities carried out after the screening.…”

“…Second-level CFA was not performed in the original study and the other versions. 11,12,24 As a result of the second level CFA, the six-factor structure showed excellent fit when evaluated with x 2 /sd, RMSEA, AGFI fit indices, and acceptable fit when evaluated with CFI, GFI, fit indices. ensuring the participation of every education level and every socioeconomic level.…”

“…23 The Cronbach Alpha value of the Turkish version of CASS (CASS-T), which was conducted in 2016, is 0.82, and its sub-dimensions range from 0.51 to 0.80. 24 When the validity and reliability of the CASS is evaluated in different countries, it is seen that the Chronbach Alpha values are different from the original scale, while it rises in the Japanese society, it decreases in the Turkish society. It was thought that this situation was Another factor affecting the level of reliability is thought to be the way the scale is applied.…”

“…11,12,23 In the Turkish version (CASS-T), the scale was distributed and collected after a while. 24 In our study (T-CASS), the scale was 11,12 The Turkish version was developed for university students. 24 In our study, only one-third of the population was university graduate.…”

“…24 In our study (T-CASS), the scale was 11,12 The Turkish version was developed for university students. 24 In our study, only one-third of the population was university graduate. It is thought that as the education level decreases, the intelligibility of the scale items and the reflectivity of the perception about cancer decrease.…”