Psychometric Testing of Attitudes Toward Physical Activity Scale for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Pediatric Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of pediatric cancer experience chronic health problems following treatment, many of which could be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. This report describes the development of the AYA Cancer Survivor Attitude (AYA-CSA) Scale, an attitudinal scale that is associated with physical activity in AYA survivors of pediatric cancer.

Methods: AYA survivors (n = 100) completed a survey to evaluate their attitudes toward engagement in physical activity. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis, correlation with physical activity intention and physical activity behavior, and prediction of physical activity, after adjusting for past physical activity, survivor age, gender, and family income.

Results: Data demonstrated a single 6-item scale with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.82). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with physical activity intention (r = 0.553, p < 0.001) and physical activity behavior (r = 0.489, p < 0.001). After controlling for past physical activity and demographic covariates, survivor age, attitude toward physical activity, and intention were significant predictors of physical activity, and the overall model (F(6, 77) = 7.722, p < 0.001) predicted 39.5% of the variability in physical activity.

Conclusion: The AYA-CSA scale demonstrates good reliability and construct validity, most important of which was the ability to predict actual physical activity in AYA survivors of pediatric cancer. This reliable and valid measure is an important tool in the design of behavioral interventions to improve physical activity engagement in AYA survivors.