Reliability and Validity of an Instrument Assessing Spiritual Needs of Families of Terminal Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of an instrument that measures spiritual needs of families of terminal cancer patients. Methods: This methodological study was processed as follows: 1) The preliminary 26 items were developed based a conceptual framework of spiritual needs of families of patients with cancer. 2) The content was validated by an expert panel (Three nursing professors and five hospice nursing specialists). 3) The instrument was validated by a survey (n=111). 4) Twenty-six items were selected and used for the final version of the scale. Results: Three factors were extracted through factor analysis: ‘relationship with God/Acceptance of dying’, ‘recovery of relationship/hope and peace’, and ‘meaning and purpose of life’. These factors explained 61.088% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha and Guttman split-half coefficient of the 26 items were 0.944 and 0.826 respectively. Conclusion: This scale was identified as a valid and reliable tool. Therefore, the scale is useful in assessing spiritual needs of families of terminal cancer patients in the field of hospice and palliative care.