Exploring global meaning in Greek breast cancer patients: validation of the Life Attitude Profile--Revised (LAP-R).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R) among a sample of Greek breast cancer patients, and to test the fit of a structural equation model with one latent factor underlying the measured LAP-R dimensions.


METHODS
A total of 153 patients with breast cancer completed the LAP-R. Convergent validity was assessed by examining the correlations between the LAP-R subscales and measures of perceived stress, intrusiveness, mental health, and coping styles. Known-groups validity was also assessed.


RESULTS
Principal axis factor analysis with promax rotation yielded four factors: purpose-coherence-vacuum, choice, death acceptance, and goal seeking. Internal consistency reliability of the subscales and convergent validity of LAP-R were satisfactory. LAP-R was able to detect differences in meaning between different age groups. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a single-factor model including a latent meaning-variable indicated by the observed subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
The LAP-R is a reliable and valid measure of global meaning in life, when administered to breast cancer patients. The use of LAP-R in evaluating meaning-centered psychotherapy interventions for patients with cancer is emphasized.
Anagnostopoulos
Fotios
F
Department of Psychology, Panteion University, Athens, Greece. fganagn@hol.gr
Slater
Julie
J
Fitzsimmons
Deborah
D
Kolokotroni
Philippa
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires