Psychometric properties of the RCMAS-2 in pediatric cancer patients

The Influence of a Peer Support Camp on Mitigating Emotional Distress in Siblings of Children With Cancer

Background: Siblings of children with cancer often experience anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), which negatively impact their self-esteem due to emotionally upsetting circumstances. The purpose of this longitudinal quantitative study was to investigate changes in anxiety, PTSS, and self-esteem of youth who participated in a peer support camp for siblings of children with cancer. Methods: A longitudinal study examined changes over time. Data were collected from 32 sibling surveys pre-, post-, and three months after camp. Siblings completed assessments to measure anxiety, PTSS, and self-esteem. A repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman Test was conducted to identify changes across the three data points for each outcome measured. Post hoc comparisons using paired sample t-tests or Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were conducted. Results: Significant improvements in anxiety; T1 and T2 (p < .000); T1 and T3 (p < .000). Significant decrease in PTSS; T1 and T2 (p = .001); T1 and T3 (p = .011). Significant improvement in self-esteem scores for older participants (ages 10-16); T1 and T2 (p < .000). Significant improvement in self-esteem for younger participants (ages 7-9); T1 and T3 (p = .005). Discussion: The data generated in this study expand knowledge about the influence of peer support camps on reducing the emotional distress of siblings of children with cancer. The findings warrant further research on the long-term impact of such camps, the value of repeated participation, differences between bereaved and nonbereaved siblings, the phase of the cancer experience, and elements of the camp that have the most impact.

Psychometric properties of the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-Second Edition in Peruvian students

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale–Second Edition (RCMAS-2) among Peruvian students. The sample consisted of 472 participants aged between 7 and 18 years, of whom 250 were female (53%). Likewise, 191 were enrolled from third to sixth grade of primary school (40.5%), and 281 were registered from first to fifth grade of secondary school (59.5%). The results of the study indicated that the RCMAS-2 scores had adequate levels of reliability for all its dimensions (ordinal alpha > .70). On the other hand, a four-factor structure (Physiological anxiety, Worry/Social anxiety, Defensiveness I, and Defensiveness II) was found to be invariant to gender and schooling level. Also, convergent and discriminant validity evidence was provided. Finally, a moderate difference in Defensiveness II according to the schooling level through the latent mean structure analysis was found. Taking into account the results, it was concluded that the RCMAS-2 scores have evidence of reliability, validity, and equity for its use in Peruvian regular elementary school students.

A Systematic Review of Self-Report Instruments for the Measurement of Anxiety in Hospitalized Children with Cancer

Anxiety has been identified as one of the most severe and long-lasting symptoms experienced by hospitalized children with cancer. Self-reports are especially important for documenting emotional and abstract concepts, such as anxiety. Children may not always be able to communicate their symptoms due to language difficulties, a lack of developmental language skills, or the severity of their illness. Instruments with sufficient psychometric quality and pictorial support may address this communication challenge. The purpose of this review was to systematically search the published literature and identify validated and reliable self-report instruments available for children aged 5–18 years to use in the assessment of their anxiety to ensure they receive appropriate anxiety-relief intervention in hospital. What validated self-report instruments can children with cancer use to self-report anxiety in the hospital setting? Which of these instruments offer pictorial support? Eight instruments were identified, but most of the instruments lacked pictorial support. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL™) 3.0 Brain Tumor Module and Cancer Module proved to be useful in hospitalized children with cancer, as they provide pictorial support. It is recommended that faces or symbols be used along with the VAS, as pictures are easily understood by younger children. Future studies could include the adaptation of existing instruments in digital e-health tools.

Instruments to measure anxiety in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The primary objective was to describe anxiety measurement instruments used in children and adolescents with cancer or undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and summarize their content and psychometric properties.

METHODS

We conducted searches of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, HAPI, and CINAHL. We included studies that used at least one instrument to measure anxiety quantitatively in children or adolescents with cancer or undergoing HSCT. Two authors independently identified studies and abstracted study demographics and instrument characteristics.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven instruments, 14 multi-item and 13 single-item, were used between 78 studies. The most commonly used instrument was the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in 46 studies. Three multi-item instruments (Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-Mandarin version, PROMIS Pediatric Anxiety Short Form, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and two single-item instruments (Faces Pain Scale-Revised and 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale, both adapted for anxiety) were found to be reliable and valid in children with cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified 14 different multi-item and 13 different single-item anxiety measurement instruments that have been used in pediatric cancer or HSCT. Only three multi-item and two single-item instruments were identified as being reliable and valid among pediatric cancer or HSCT patients and would therefore be appropriate to measure anxiety in this population.

Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale–Second Edition Scores Among Chinese Secondary School Students

The purpose of this study was to adapt the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale–Second Edition (RCMAS-2) into Mandarin and to examine its psychometric properties among Chinese adolescents. The participants included 436 Chinese students in Grades 7 to 12 who were administered the Chinese version of the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS-2-C). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed to examine the factor structure of the RCMAS-2-C. Results indicated a modified four-factor model (Worry and Social Anxiety factors combined, Physiological Anxiety, Defensiveness I, and Defensiveness II factors) provided an adequate model fit to the data. Categorical omegas were computed and ranged from .68 to .90 for the RCMAS-2 scale scores. Convergent evidence of validity for the RCMAS-2-C anxiety scores was also found. Implications of the findings of the study for clinicians and researchers are discussed.