Measuring the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer: validity and reliability of the Family Inventory of Needs--husbands.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: 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.

DESIGN

Methodologic survey.

SAMPLES

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.

FINDINGS

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.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Before nurses can address the information needs of husbands of women with breast cancer, use of a reliable and valid assessment tool is recommended.