Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Translated Physical Self-Perception Profile among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivor

PURPOSE: To translate the original English version of Physical Self-Perception Profile into Cantonese Chinese, while considering linguistic and socio-cultural characteristics, and evaluate its psychometric properties among Chinese breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong, China, thus providing a valid, culturally relevant tool for assessing of the physical self-esteem among this population.

METHODS: The 30-item Physical Self-Perception Profile was translated into Chinese by the combined translation technique. The psychometric properties of the Cantonese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile were examined in 292 Hong Kong Chinese breast cancer survivors for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the structural validity. A panel of 5 experts examined its content validity. The concurrent validity was examined by correlating the Physical Self-Perception Profile and a validated global self-esteem measure.

RESULTS: The Cantonese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile demonstrated satisfactory content validity, also satisfactory internal consistency with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.64 to 0.80, as well as good test-retest reliability, with an intra-class correlation coefficient ranging from 0.77 to 0.81. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a fairly good fit of the four-factor subdomain structure, namely, physical condition, physical strength, body attractiveness and sports competence. The concurrent validity of the Chinese-version Physical Self-Perception Profile was demonstrated by a significant positive correlation between the physical self-worth domain and four subdomains with global self-esteem. In addition, the four subdomains had statistically significant positive correlations with the physical self-worth domain indicating the instrument's hierarchical structure.

CONCLUSIONS: The study translated the Physical Self-Perception Profile from English to Cantonese and demonstrated its desirable psychometric properties among Chinese Hong Kong breast cancer survivors. The linguistical and cultural adaptation of this instrument can serve as a valid and reliable tool for assessing physical self-esteem among breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong, China.