Psychometric Properties of the Questionnaire of Motives for and against Breast Reconstruction

Abstract

Backgrounds: Although breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy is an aesthetic option with good results, it is done little in Mexico. To study its reasons, the Questionnaire of Motives for and against Breast Reconstruction (QMBR) was created. The content validity of the QMBR has been tested, but not other psychometric properties. The objectives of the study were to determine its factor structure, and to test its reliability and concurrent construct validity. This instrumental research with non-experimental cross-sectional design used an intentional sampling. The QMBR consisting of two scales, a body image questionnaire, and questions about sociodemographic, clinical and sexual behavior data were applied to 110 Mexican mastectomized women. The QMBR scale of motives for BR presented a one-factor structure, excellent internal consistency, and convergent validity. The QMBR scale of motives against BR presented a structure of three factors: fears/concerns/cost, acceptance/satisfaction with the current state, and lack of information. Its three factors showed internal consistency and convergent validity and discriminant. The correlation between both scales was small, but the internal consistency of QMBR was excellent. The strength of association of QMBR was very strong with desire for BR; medium with age and body image; and small with desire to preserve the breast, frequencies of sexual relations before diagnosis, search for information on BR, and perception of economic status. The QMBR was independent of levels of education, stage of cancer, type of mastectomy, and marital status. It is concluded that the questionnaire is reliable and valid.