Authors:
Jenny Thorsell Cederberg, Sandra Weineland, JoAnne Dahl, & Gustaf Ljungman
Abstract:
Experiential avoidance (EA) has been shown to constitute a generalized vulnerability for psychopathology. It is described as unwillingness to be in contact with aversive private experiences followed by behavioral responses to avoid those experiences. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) is the most frequently used measure of EA and has been shown to correlate with a wide range of measures of mental health and long-term functional behavior. The Swedish version of the scale has previously been evaluated in a non-clinical sample but remains to be evaluated in a clinical one. A subgroup of parents of children with cancer report psychological ill-health long-term. The aim of the study was to investigate factor structure, norm values and psychometric properties of the Swedish Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (SAAQ) for parents of children with cancer. Parents of all children undergoing cancer treatment in Sweden at the time of the study were invited to participate. Factor structure was investigated and norm values, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity were calculated. 243 parents participated. The mean of the SAAQ in the sample was 16.69 (SD 8.68; SE 0.56). Internal consistency (α = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.86) were excellent. The SAAQ correlated moderately with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for parents (PCS-P). Norm values are now available, and the psychometric properties supported, for the SAAQ for parents of children with cancer. This may facilitate prevention and treatment of psychopathology for this population by providing implications for interventions. First, however, sensitivity to change needs to be assessed.