Development of an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer: Verification of its reliability and validity

AIMS: To develop an adjustment ability scale for outpatients with cancer and to investigate its reliability and validity. DESIGN: Quantitative study. METHODS: A proposed adjustment ability scale was prepared based on scale development guidelines. Its reliability and validity were statistically analysed using data obtained from 369 patients. RESULTS: Six factors were extracted from the factor analysis. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.95 and the test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.83. A correlation coefficient of .48 was determined between the adjustment ability scale and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Japanese version), which assesses psychological adaptations via the cognitive‐behavioural responses of patients with cancer. The correlation coefficient between the scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General (Japanese version 4), which measures quality of life among patients with cancer, was 0.15.