Psychometric properties of the modified Chinese version of the family resilience assessment for families of patients with cancer

Family resilience is critical for families recovering and growing from a cancer crisis; however, there remains a lack of universal family resilience assessment tools for families of patients with cancer. This study aimed to modify the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRA) and examine its psychometric properties. First, the FRA scale was modified into the Family Resilience Assessment Scale for Family Cancer (FRAS-FC) based on cultural adaptations and cancer population applicability. During the modification phase, items were deleted, added, and reclassified through expert consultation and group discussion. The language of the scale items was further optimized after the pilot study, resulting in a test version of the FRAS-FC. Subsequently, a total of 455 patients with cancer or their family caregivers from China participated in scale validation. The factor analysis showed a 6-factor structure with reasonable fit (χ²/df = 2.064, RMR = 0.043, SRMR = 0.056, IFI = 0.903, CFI = 0.902, RMSEA = 0.066). Satisfactory indicators of convergent and concurrent criterion validity further supported the validity of the scale. The internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.939). The Pearson correlation coefficient for the test-retest sample was 0.719 (p < 0.01), reflecting the stability of the scale measures across time. The findings support the 29-item FRAS-FC as a valid and reliable tool for measuring family resilience in patients with cancer or their family caregivers. The FRAS-FC enables healthcare professionals to identify family resilience and act accordingly to fulfill the role of the family better. The modified scale can be used in a wider range of families living with cancer or be validated separately for different types of cancers. Further validation in a wider cancer population is still needed.