Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 March 2006
Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate outcome expectation and self-regulation measures within a sample of cancer patients and to explore relationships of these variables with benefit finding. The outcome expectation and self-regulation measures were evaluated for reliability and initial factor structure.
Method: A convenience sample of 141 cancer patients completed study measures while waiting for appointments at a cancer center.
Results: The measures demonstrated good reliability (alphas = .88 and .92, for outcome expectation and self-regulation respectively). Initial factor structure suggested six outcome expectation factors (managing symptoms, expressing emotions, talking about cancer, learning about cancer, managing self-image, and managing needs) and one self-regulation factor. Gender and treatment status were related to outcome expectations but not self-regulation. Outcome expectations and self-regulation were significant predictors of benefit-finding, F(8, 80) = 3.1, p = .005.
Significance of the research: Measures of outcome expectations and self-regulation are reliable, are related to gender and clinical variables, and may be useful as predictors of cancer patients' ability to find benefits in their cancer experience.