Reliability and the validity of the Psychosocial Distress Questionnaire-Breast Cancer(PDQ-BC)

Abstract

Background and Purpose:  To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Psychosocial Distress Questionnaire-Breast Cancer (PDQ-BC) and to compare its referrals with the Distress Thermometer (DT).  Methods:  Group 1 (N = 54) and Group 2 (N = 80) completed the PDQ-BC. Group 2 also completed the DT, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-100 (WHOQOL-100; n = 55). Results: Moderate to high correlations (r ≥ .44, p < .001) were found between related facets of the PDQ-BC, WHOQOL-100, and DT. The subscales state anxiety and depressive symptoms (PDQ-BC) have a sensitivity of 87.5% and 78.6%, respectively, and a specificity of 81.1% and 73.0%, respectively, compared to the HADS.  Conclusions:  The PDQ-BC shows good construct validity, test–retest reliability, and sensitivity to change. The PDQ-BC has a satisfactory sensitivity and specificity of the subscales state anxiety and depressive symptoms