Persian version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) for patients with cancer: Evaluation of psychometric properties, factor structure, and association with related constructs

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI=short health anxiety inventory) in a sample of patients diagnosed with cancer. Factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and gender differences in SHAI scores were assessed.

Methods

202 patients diagnosed with cancer participated, with 18 questionnaires excluded for incomplete data. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to confirm the factor structure. Internal consistency was also assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Results

A two-factor model (thought intrusion and fear of illness) provided the best fit for the data (SBχ² (64) = 114.346, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.944, GFI = 0.908, RMSEA = 0.065). Internal consistency was high for the SHAI total score (α = 0.864) and its subscales (thought intrusion: α = 0.753; fear of illness: α = 0.825). Female patients also scored significantly higher than male patients on the SHAI total score (U = 5232.500, p = 0.012), thought intrusion subscale (U = 5189.00, p = 0.008) and fear of illness subscale (U = 5069.500, p = 0.018).

Conclusion

The SHAI demonstrates adequate psychometric properties for assessing health anxiety in cancer patients.