Factor structure in the Camberwell Assessment of Need.
BACKGROUND
In order to define needs for care of people with severe mental illness, the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) is focused on measuring personal and social functioning. However, previous studies of the CAN have given inconsistent results in terms of what variables are actually being measured.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the factor structure of the CAN.


METHODS
Assessments of 741 out-patients (mean age 45.5 years, 50% females) with severe mental illness (68% schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder) were used in an exploratory maximum likelihood factor analysis.


RESULTS
Support was found for a three-factor model, comprising 13 of the 22 variables in the CAN, with the factors corresponding to functional disability (7 variables), social loneliness (3 variables) and emotional loneliness (3 variables). The remaining variables did not load on any factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Exploratory factor analysis revealed three homogeneous dimensions in the CAN that may represent functional disability and two aspects of social health.
Wennström
Erik
E
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Ulleråker, SE-750 17, Uppsala, Sweden. erik.wennstrom@neuro.uu.se
Sörbom
Dag
D
Wiesel
Frits-Axel
FA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior