Validation of a Tool to Assess the Multidimensional Needs of the Parents of Children With Cancer

Background An assessment of the supportive care needs that parents whose children are suffering from cancer is crucial to providing maximum quality care in pediatric oncology. Objective To examine the psychometric properties of the Cancer Patient Needs Questionnaire (CPNQ) and validate the revised version (rCPNQ) of this multidimensional tool that evaluates the needs of parents whose child has cancer. Methods The original rCPNQ comprised 45 items and 6 dimensions of need. The original rCPNQ was first translated into Italian and then validated for use by performing an exploratory factor analysis with a subsequent reliability analysis for the entire scale and each factor found. Results One hundred forty-nine parents completed the Italian version of the rCPNQ, where a preliminary correlation analysis revealed the need for different psychometric item properties in the Italian population, with 22 items being excluded in the final model. The results of an exploratory factor analysis indicated a structure encompassing 4 factors of needs: (1) child-related emotional, (2) functional, (3) healthcare-related, and (4) emotional. The final version showed satisfactory internal consistency (subscales’ Cronbach’s α all >.80) and stability. Conclusion The Italian version of the rCPNQ is a shorter statistically validated version of the original scale and is a valid measure for professionals to use when assessing parents’ supportive care requirements. Implications for Practice The Italian version of rCPNQ can be used with professionals when assessing parents of children with cancer to assess their perceptions of their ill child’s emotional, functional, and healthcare needs.