The Cancer and Deity Questionnaire: a new religion and cancer measure

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2009;27(4):435-53. doi: 10.1080/07347330903181913.

Abstract

We evaluated a new measure, the Cancer and Deity Questionnaire (CDQ), which assesses perceived relations with God after a cancer diagnosis. Based on object relations theory, the 12-item CDQ assesses benevolent and abandoning God representations. Sixty-one older participants with recent cancer diagnoses completed the questionnaire at baseline, and 52 of these participants completed the same questionnaire at follow-up. Internal consistency was excellent for the Benevolence scale (alpha = .97) and good for the Abandonment scale (alpha = .80). Moderate correlations with the Spiritual Well-Being Scale support divergent validity. Correlations between CDQ scales and the Styles of Religious Coping scales support convergent validity. The CDQ is brief, easily scored, practical for psycho-oncology research, and adaptable for use with other illnesses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Religion
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Spirituality*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*