Measuring the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer: validity and reliability of the Family Inventory of Needs--husbands.
OBJECTIVE
A two-phase study was undertaken to test the Family Inventory of Needs--Husbands (FIN-H), a tool designed to measure the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer and the extent to which these needs are met.


METHODS
Methodologic survey.


METHODS
Phase I: a panel of 6 husbands; phase II: 84 husbands of women with breast cancer.


METHODS
Panel of expert ratings followed by pilot test of the two-part survey.


RESULTS
In phase I, husbands assessed the FIN-H for clarity, internal consistency, and content validity. All preset criteria were met. In phase II, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and internal validity were assessed. Internal consistency estimates as measured by Cronbach's standardized alpha coefficients were 0.91 and 0.93. Test-retest correlations were 0.82 and 0.76 (p = 0.0001). Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the FIN-H consists of five factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial results suggest that the FIN-H is reliable and valid. Further testing is needed to confirm these results.


CONCLUSIONS
Before nurses can address the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer, use of a reliable and valid assessment tool is recommended.
Kilpatrick
M G
MG
Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, Canada.
Kristjanson
L J
LJ
Tataryn
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018454:Spouses / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*