Purpose
Mattering to others, or perceiving one is a significant part of the social world, may be important to breast cancer survivors’ quality of life. This study examines the reliability and validity of the 5-item general mattering scale (GMS) to assess mattering in breast cancer survivors.
Methods
A secondary analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed on data from an intervention study with breast cancer survivors that included the GMS and other psychological measures.
Results
The unidimensional representation of the GMS was consistent with the data (χ2 = 8.102; df = 4; p = .088). The scale was highly reliable as indicated by McDonald’s omega of .84. The scale was significantly correlated with all psychological measures in the predicted direction except anxiety. After controlling for social support, the scale was significantly, positively correlated with functional quality of life, self-esteem, positive affect, and having meaning in life. Mattering was significantly, negatively correlated with searching for meaning. Significantly higher level of mattering was found among married participants and among women who had not obtained psychological therapy.
Conclusions
The 5-item GMS is a practical, reliable, and valid tool the measuring mattering to others among breast cancer survivors.
