Objective: The objective of this study was study the psychometric properties
the Malay Version of the Demoralisation Scale (DS-M) in cancer patients.
Method: This was a cross sectional study where 178 subjects were recruited
from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The subjects answered
both English and Malay versions of the Demoralisation Scales, Centre for
Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) Scale, Distress Thermometer and
Positive Emotion Rating Scale (PERS). Principal component factor analysis
was conducted. The internal consistency, convergent, divergent and
discriminant validity were examined.
Results: The mean score for the DS-M
of the subjects was 18.79 + 15.30 where 37.6% of the cancer patients scored >
23. The principal component analysis of DS-M yielded four-factor structures.
The Cronbach’s alpha for the scale was 0.95, and the subscales ranged
between 0.81-0.92. The Spearman’s correlation showed a good convergent
validity between DS-M and CESD (r = 0.78, p < 0.01) and Distress
Thermometer (r = 0.64, p < 0.01); and divergent validity between DS-M and
PERS (r = -.69, p < 0.01). The AUC was 0.92 (SE: 0.02, p < 0.01, 95% CI 0.88-
0.97).
Conclusion: The DS-M has good psychometric properties as a
screening tool for demoralisation in patients with cancer in Malaysia.