The multiple sclerosis self-concept change scale: Development and validation of a new measure

Holly Emery; Ingrid van der Mei; Christine Padgett; Tamara Ownsworth; Therese Burke; Lauren Giles; Cynthia A Honan

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2023.104955

The multiple sclerosis self-concept change scale: Development and validation of a new measure

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Nov:79:104955. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104955. Epub 2023 Aug 21.

Authors

Holly Emery¹, Ingrid van der Mei², Christine Padgett³, Tamara Ownsworth⁴, Therese Burke⁵, Lauren Giles⁶, Cynthia A Honan⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia. Electronic address: holly.emery@utas.edu.au.
² Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
³ School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
⁴ School of Applied Psychology & The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia.
⁵ School of Nursing, University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Australia.
⁶ Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
⁷ School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia; Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

PMID: 37639780
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104955

Abstract

Background: Self-concept change may impact psychological wellbeing and functioning in people with MS (pwMS). However, the extent and nature of change in self-concept that pwMS experience is poorly understood, owing to the lack of quantitative measures available to assess this construct.

Objective: To examine the factor structure, validity, and internal consistency of the newly developed Multiple Sclerosis Self-Concept Change Scale (MSSCCS).

Methods: Items measuring self-concept change were created, reviewed by a panel of experts and pre-tested in a sample of 135 pwMS. A revised list of 51 items were then administered to 1307 pwMS (80.3% female; Age M = 59.21 years, SD = 11.40), together with measures of disease impact and psychosocial functioning.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factor extraction in 643 randomly selected participants yielded 23-items measuring 5 latent factors for the final MSSCCS. Confirmatory factor analysis involving the remaining participants supported the 5-factor model, as well as a 2nd order model of "global change". Internal consistency of the total scale was good (α = 0.89). The MSSCCS also demonstrated evidence of concurrent and construct validity.

Conclusion: The MSSCCS is a reliable and valid assessment, which may assist in enhancing understanding of self-concept change in pwMS.

Keywords: Factor analysis; Multiple sclerosis; Psychology; Psychosocial functioning; Self-concept.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis* / diagnosis
Multiple Sclerosis* / psychology
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Surveys and Questionnaires