Development of a self-efficacy scale for mammography

Mammography screening has been demonstrated to decrease mortality from breast cancer. Although adherence rates have increased, there is still a need to increase annual screening. Self-efficacy is a construct that has been found useful in predicting behaviors. Measurement of self-efficacy needs to be specific to the behavior and to have good validity and reliability. The purpose of this study is to describe development of a self-efficacy instrument to measure confidence in obtaining a mammogram. Bandura's model guided item development. Construct validity was measured using confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression. Cronbach alpha was used to test internal consistency reliability. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of .87 was obtained. The mammography self-efficacy scale evidenced content and construct validity.