Purpose: To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS).
Methods: After translation, back-translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the CASS into Chinese (C-CASS), a random online survey of the general population in China was conducted. Reliability was analyzed by internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and construct validity was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis. The C-CASS was evaluated in a sample of 382 non-cancer patients through online format.
Results: The study found that the C-CASS had satisfactory internal reliability (Cronbach's α of the overall scale and six components was 0.88 and 0.70-0.89, respectively). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the six-factor structure (χ2/df = 2.2, GFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.056, SRMR = 0.065). Younger individuals and those who had less knowledge of cancer showed more negative attitudes towards cancer.
Conclusion: The C-CASS had adequate internal consistency, reliability and indices of model fit, allowing its feasible use to assess levels of cancer stigma in Chinese populations.
Keywords: Attitudes; cancer; scale; stigma; validation.