The psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Demoralization Scale (DS?II) in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Demoralization is a syndrome of existential distress and despair in patients with cancer and other severe medical illnesses. The Demoralization Scale (DS?II) is self?administered and contains 16 items, and it has two factors: meaning and purpose and distress and coping ability.

Materials and Methods: Women with breast cancer (240) completed the scales DS?II, positive and negative affect, state hope, patient health, and quality of life. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and divergent and convergent validity were used to measure the construct validity of DS?II. CFA was chosen to check the fit of the two?factor model. Divergent and convergent validity were investigated using Pearson’s correlation test. The  eliability of DS?II was evaluated by the internal consistency method. Cronbach’s alpha was used to calcul te the internal consistency of the DS?II.

Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the subscales of meaning and purpose, distress and coping ability, and the total score was obtained: 0.67, 0.72, and 0.81, respectively, indicated this scale’s good reliability. Furthermore, the Pearson  correlation coefficient results showed the appropriate convergent validity and good divergent validity of the DS?II.

Conclusion: The DS?II has sound psychometric properties and can be recommended as a reliable tool for assessing demoralization in women with breast cancer.