Psychosocial Screening in Pediatric Cancer: Validation of the Farsi
version of Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) 3.1
Abstract
Objectives: Psychosocial assessment is a crucial step in delivering
evidence-based care to both caregivers and children with cancer. The
need for tailoring psychosocial interventions for each member of
families that struggle with pediatric cancer, increasingly points to the
fact that systematic and comprehensive psychosocial screening is very
important. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT 3.1) is a brief parent
report screener which is based on Pediatric Preventive Psychosocial
Health Model theoretical framework (PPPHM; Clinical, Targeted, and
Universal). The present study aimed to validate the PAT for an Iranian
sample. Methods: Primary caregivers of 151 children diagnosed with
cancer took part in this study and filled in the batteries of
questionnaires at Mahak Hospital. Validation scales were used to examine
the congruent validity. Results: Among the 8 subscales of the PAT,
Social Support (α=0.82), Child problems (α=0.79), Sibling problems
(α=0.90), Family problems (α=0.71), and the total score subscale
(α=0.88) had strong internal consistency. However, Family beliefs
(α=0.64), and Stress reaction (α=0.67) subscales had moderate internal
consistency. The lowest internal consistency was related to Family
structure/resource subscale (α=0.48). Nearly half of the families tired
in Targeted level of psychosocial risks, 29.8 % were tired in Clinical
level and 21.2 % were tired in Universal level of psychosocial risks.
Conclusions: The results provide support for validity of the Farsi
version of the PAT. Farsi PAT is a valid instrument for systematic
screening of the psychosocial risks for children with cancer and their
family members and delivering psychosocial care consistent with risk.