Validation of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale for Women on Sick Leave Due to Breast Cancer (ROSES-BC)

Marc Corbière; Daniel Rabouin; Alessia Negrini; Maud Mazaniello-Chézol; Lucas Sideris; Catherine Prady; Jean-Philippe Lachance

doi:10.1007/s10926-023-10169-5

Validation of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale for Women on Sick Leave Due to Breast Cancer (ROSES-BC)

J Occup Rehabil. 2024 Feb 4. doi: 10.1007/s10926-023-10169-5. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Marc Corbière^{1

2}, Daniel Rabouin³, Alessia Negrini⁴, Maud Mazaniello-Chézol⁵, Lucas Sideris^{6

7}, Catherine Prady^{8

9}, Jean-Philippe Lachance^{3

10}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Education and Pedagogy - Career counselling, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada. corbiere.marc@uqam.ca.
² Research Centre of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Canada. corbiere.marc@uqam.ca.
³ Research Centre of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
⁴ Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Montreal, Canada.
⁵ Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, Canada.
⁷ University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
⁸ CISSS Montérégie Centre, Greenfield Park, Québec, Canada.
⁹ Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
¹⁰ Health and Society institute, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada.

PMID: 38311709
DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10169-5

Abstract

Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Approximately 40% of BC survivors are diagnosed during the peak years of their professional career. Women face numerous obstacles when returning to work (RTW) after BC. Their decision-making process and self-efficacy to overcome these barriers may undergo alterations. The objective of this study was to validate the Return-to-work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) for BC survivors, with a focus on three psychometric properties: construct validity, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity.

Methods: This prospective study consists of three phases: Phase 1 (baseline, during sick leave) was conducted to evaluate construct validity, Phase 2 (2 weeks later) assessed test-retest reliability, and Phase 3 (6-month follow-up, RTW or not) aimed to evaluate predictive validity. A total of 153 BC survivors participated in Phase 1 of the study, where they completed the 10 dimensions of the ROSES (e.g., fear of relapse, cognitive difficulties). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), Pearson correlations, and Cox regressions were performed, with respect to each phase.

Results: The mean duration for RTW with the same employer was 62.7 weeks. CFAs confirmed the ROSES structure, which had previously been established for other health conditions, showing satisfactory coefficients. Significant Pearson correlation coefficients were observed between the ROSES dimensions from Phase 1 to Phase 2, ranging from 0.66 to 0.88. When considering various confounding variables, chemotherapy treatment and cognitive difficulties (ROSES dimension) emerged as the only significant predictors of RTW.

Conclusion: These findings support the utilization of the ROSES in clinical and research settings for BC survivors to improve their successful RTW. After an initial screening using the ROSES, occupational health professionals can further conduct a focused and thorough evaluation of specific dimensions, such as cognitive difficulties. Additional research and information are required to assist BC survivors in dealing with cognitive impairments induced by chemotherapy when they return to work.

Keywords: Barriers; Breast cancer; Cognitive difficulties; Return to work; Validation.