Mammography self-efficacy scale and breast cancer fear scale: Psychometric properties of the Arabic versions among Saudi women

Abstract

Background: Early screening for breast cancer (BC) is critical for improving health outcomes and reducing mortality. Research has shown that self-efficacy and fear of BC can influence patients’ screening behaviors. Validated measures to assess these constructs among Saudi women are lacking. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic versions of the Champion Mammography Self-efficacy Scale (CMSES) and Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale (CBCFS) in a sample of Saudi women. Methods: The CMSES and CBCFS were back-translated into Arabic using an established translation protocol. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α coefficients. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analytical procedures. Results: The findings from the factor analysis confirmed the unidimensional structure of both scales as reported by the original authors. Additionally, both scales exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficients) of .91 for the modified CMSES-Arabic and .94 for the CBCFS-Arabic. Conclusions: This article provided initial evidence of reliability and construct validity for the modified CMSES-Arabic and the CBCFS-Arabic. Implications for Practice: Nurses and other allied health professionals can now use these measures to better understand how self-efficacy and fear of BC are related to compliance with cancer screening among Saudi women and in other Arabic-speaking contexts. The scales could also be useful for developing and testing the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving mammography testing rates.