Table 3.
Factor loadings of the empowerment items (n = 197)
| Empowerment factor label and item (tested empirical dimension) | Factor 1 | Factor 2 | Factor 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive attitude and sense of control |
|
|
|
| I feel useful in my daily life despite my condition (I) |
.814 |
|
|
| I feel I have a very good life despite my health problems (I) |
.802 |
|
|
| I feel like I am actively involved in life despite my health problems (I) |
.790 |
|
|
| I can live a normal life despite my condition (I) |
.785 |
|
|
| I am still doing interesting things in my life despite my health problems (I) |
.744 |
|
|
| I have plans to do enjoyable things despite my health condition (I) |
.739 |
|
|
| *My health problems stop me from enjoying my life (I) |
.703 |
|
|
| I have a positive outlook towards my condition (I) |
.701 |
|
|
| I find my health problems take over my life (I) |
.673 |
|
|
| I feel a sense of control over my condition (PC) |
.672 |
|
|
| I have a hopeful outlook towards my condition (I) |
.668 |
|
|
| I am capable of handling my condition (PC) |
.661 |
|
|
| I can minimise the impact of my symptoms on my life (PC) |
.655 |
|
|
| I feel there is purpose and meaning in my life despite my health problems (I) |
.623 |
|
|
| *I live my life one day at a time because of my condition (PC) |
.581 |
|
|
| I actively manage my condition (PC) |
.553 |
|
|
| I am satisfied with my control over the symptoms of my condition (PC) |
.553 |
|
|
| Knowing more about my condition helps me to manage it (KU) |
.521 |
|
|
| I have the skills that help me feel in control of my condition (PC) |
.518 |
|
|
| I try to make the most of my life despite my condition (I) |
.493 |
|
|
| Without my health problems I could achieve more (I) |
.489 |
|
|
| Knowledge and confidence in decision making |
|
|
|
| I know enough about my condition (KU) |
|
.747 |
|
| I have all the knowledge I need to manage my condition (KU) |
|
.704 |
|
| I understand my condition (KU) |
|
.657 |
|
| I would feel able to refuse a decision made by my doctor concerning my treatment (DM) |
|
.590 |
|
| I know how to handle difficulties related to my condition (PC) |
|
.582 |
|
| *I find it difficult to ask my doctor to change my treatment (DM) |
|
.543 |
|
| I have information to handle difficulties related to my condition (KU) |
.425 |
.517 |
|
| I know how to control my health problems (PC) |
.448 |
.494 |
|
| I participate in decisions concerning my health care (DM) |
|
.493 |
|
| I am confident choosing among different treatment options related to my condition with my doctor (DM) |
|
.490 |
.430 |
| I know what my test results mean (KU) |
|
.442 |
|
| I know where to go to find something out about my condition (KU) |
|
.426 |
|
| I can talk to my doctor if I change my mind concerning my treatment (DM) |
|
.407 |
|
| Enabling others |
|
|
|
| I need to know what is happening to me and why (KU) |
|
|
.686 |
| I have helped people who have similar conditions find different ways to cope (EO) |
|
|
.627 |
| I have shared my experience of managing my condition with other people with health problems (EO) |
|
|
.627 |
| I feel frustrated for other people who are struggling with similar conditions (EO) |
|
|
.611 |
| I have shared with others how I keep myself well (EO) |
|
|
.585 |
| I would acquire more health information when needed (KU) |
|
|
.558 |
| I am aware I can change my mind about a treatment (DM) |
|
|
.541 |
| I am aware I can choose different treatment options (DM) |
|
.406 |
.506 |
| *I’m not bothered about understanding health information (KU) |
|
|
.498 |
| I often request additional health information from my doctor (DM) |
|
|
487 |
| I would refuse a treatment if I thought it was not the best thing for me (DM) |
|
|
.458 |
| I have shared my understanding of my condition with people who have similar conditions (EO) |
|
|
.423 |
| People who are struggling with similar conditions often ask me for advice (EO) | .421 |
Note: Component extraction method was Principal Axis Factoring, with a cut-point for including factor loadings (>0.4); *Negative worded item; Tested empirical dimensions; (I), Identity; (PC), Personal control; (KU), Knowledge and understanding; Four of 51 items failed to load any factor, ‘I am satisfied with the level of health information that I have available to me’ (KU); ‘My own experience has increased my understanding of what it is like for other people to have this condition’ (EO); ‘I accept that I have to live with my condition’ (I); ‘I sometimes take health information to my doctor’ (DM).