Sample
The CPOS was validated with a sample of cancer patients ( N566). Optimism scores ranged from 35 to 100
(M572.62, SD513.01) (Radwin et al., 2005).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the CPOS was reported (.75) and item-scale correlations ranged from .44 to
.65 (Radwin et al., 2005).
Test/C0Retest
No test /C0retest reliability evidence is currently available for the CPOS.
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
CPOS scores correlate positively with a measure of trust in nurses ( r5.33), and with a measure of authentic
self-representation ( r5.20) (Radwin et al., 2005).
Divergent/Discriminant
No discriminant validity evidence is currently available for the CPOS.
Construct/Factor Analytic
No factor analytic information is currently available for the CPOS.
Criterion/Predictive
CPOS scores are predictive of scores on a measure of fortitude ( r5.43) (Radwin et al., 2005).
Location
Radwin, L.E., Washko, M., Suchy, K.A., & Tyman, K. (2005). Development and pilot testing of four desired
health outcome scales. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32, 92/C096.
Results and Comments
The CPOS is unique in that is applies principles of optimism to a very specific (cancer patient) population.
Although the authors acknowledge that other scales have been developed to assess hope among cancer patients
(i.e., Nowotny, 1989 ), they also acknowledge the dearth of scales for assessing cancer patients.
CANCER PATIENT OPTIMISM SCALE
Respondents rank the frequency of the activity or
feeling on a Likert scale (1 5never; 2 5rarely; 3 5some
of the time; 4 5a good bit of the time; 5 5usually,
65always).
How often have you felt that your medical problem
will not work out for the best?
How often have you felt that your decisions about
how to treat your cancer were correct?How often have you felt that the cancer treatment
you chose would produce the desired outcome?
How often have you felt grim about the ways things
will work out for you?
Notes : Copyright r2005 Oncology Nursing Forum.
No portion of the Cancer Patient Optimism Scale may
be reproduced by any means without permission in
writing from the copyright owner.
Reproduced with permission.
HIV Treatment Optimism Scale (HIV-TOS)
(Van de Ven et al., 2000).69 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS