Development, validity, and reliability of the Japanese version of the
Cancer Needs Questionnaire - Young People (CNQ-YP-J)
Abstract
Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients experience
complex physical and psychosocial development and diverse lifestyle
changes. Therefore, each may have generation-specific needs. This study
aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Cancer Needs Questionnaire
– Young People (CNQ-YP-J) and verify its reliability and validity among
AYA cancer patients in Japan. Methods: The CNQ-YP-J was developed using
a standardized translation methodology. Content validity was assessed by
a group of experts, and a pilot test was conducted on six AYA cancer
patients. About 87 Japanese patients with AYA cancer participated in
this study. After exploratory factor analysis was conducted, the scale’s
reliability was examined using Cronbach’s α, item-total correlations,
and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the retest.
Criterion-related validity was analyzed using correlations between total
needs and concerns about physical effects and quality of life (QOL).
Results: Factor analysis showed an eight-factor structure, different
from the original scale, with one item excluded, resulting in a 69-item
scale. Cronbach’s α coefficient and ICC were above the minimum
acceptable criterion of 0.70, demonstrating high reliability. Concerning
criterion-related validity, high needs were positively correlated with
high concerns about physical effects and tended to be negatively
correlated with QOL. Conclusion: The CNQ-YP-J is a reliable and valid
scale to comprehensively assess the needs of AYA cancer patients in
Japan.