Validation of the English and simplified Mandarin versions of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire – Short Form in Chinese cancer survivors

Abstract

Background: The fear of illness progression is common amongst those with chronic illnesses including cancers, and contributes to high psychological morbidity. Research in Asia on such fears however, is limited by a paucity of validated measurement instruments. Amongst the many available instruments, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire has a high quality rating, an important consideration in its selection. This study developed a simplified Mandarin version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire -Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and validated the English and Mandarin versions for use in Chinese populations. Methods: The translation to a simplified Mandarin version was through a forward-backward translation with emphasis on conceptual and cultural equivalence. Cancer survivors (N = 341) completed a self-report questionnaire, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire -Short Form, other measures of fear of progression, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Reliability and criterion validity were assessed, and the factor-structure was replicated with a confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The Fear of Progression Questionnaire -Short Form demonstrated high internal and test-retest reliability. Criterion validity was also demonstrated through convergent, concurrent and discriminant validity. The factor structure was supported and replicated. The goodness-of-fit indices of the original model indicated some misfit, which could be adequately addressed by freeing five parameters in the error covariance matrix, without changing the one-factor structure. Conclusions: The Fear of Progression Questionnaire -Short Form is a reliable and valid measure of fear of progression applicable to a mixed-cancer survivor population in Singapore. The simplified Mandarin version of the questionnaire will be useful in other parts of Asia and for Chinese migrants in the West, further extending the use of this questionnaire.

Fear of cancer recurrence in patients with multiple myeloma: Prevalence and predictors based on a family model analysis

“…According to a previous study by Herschbach et al, 12 the cut‐off for dysfunctional FCR is ≥ 34. The Chinese version of the questionnaire demonstrated high internal and test‐retest reliability and high consistency in Singapore 13 …”

“…The Chinese version of the questionnaire demonstrated high internal and test-retest reliability and high consistency in Singapore. 13 The partners' FCR was measured with the FoP-Q-sf/P, the only instrument available to evaluate partners' FCR at present. It was developed by Zimmermann 14 and is based on the FoP-Q-sf; thus, it has the same cut-off value.…”

Fear of Progression, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Advanced Melanoma in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Era

“…A cut-off score of ≥34 indicates clinical FoP. The Chinese version of scale has good reliability and validity in Chinese cancer patients (Cronbach α = 0.883) ( 24 ).…”

Correlation research between fear of disease progression and quality of life in patients with lung cancer

“…The scale was developed by Mehnert of Germany on the basis of FoP-Q in 2006 (10), and the simplified Chinese version of the scale (FoP-Q-SF) adopts a Likert 5-point scoring method, with a total of 11 items (11). The evaluation method adopts patient self-evaluation, with a score of 11-55 points, and the higher the patient's score, the stronger their fear of disease progression.…”