Factor structure in the camberwell assessment of need-patient version: The correlations with dimensions of illness, personality and quality of life of schizophrenia patients

Aim: To investigate the factor structure underlying the Camberwell Assessment of Need-Patient Version (CANSAS-P) items in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Method: Factor, correlation and regression analyses were performed for dimensions of CANSAS-P, illness, personality and quality of life (QOL) related variables in 95 stabilized patients with chronic schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor model that explains 50.4% of the total variance of the 20 CANSAS-P items. The factors 'Social disability', 'Information processing disability', 'Emotional processing disability', and 'Coping disability' showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient 0.67-0.77). The CANSAS-P subscale scores positively correlated with severity of symptoms, distress (r ranged from 0.34 to 0.45), while negatively associated with general functioning (r = -0.34), friend (r = -0.46) and family support (r = -0.41), satisfaction with medicine (r = -0.35), general activities (r = -0.40), and general QOL (r = -0.35) (all P < 0.001). Severity of illness, symptoms, emotional distress and emotion-oriented coping were positive predictors; friend support, QOL general activities, life satisfaction and satisfaction with medicine were negative predictors of the CANSAS-P subscale scores. The effect size (f²) for these predictors ranged from medium to quite large (f² = 0.28-1.13), and they explain from 23% to 46% of the variability in CANSAS-P subscales. Conclusions: A four-factor structure mode, including social and cognitive functioning, emotion responsivity and coping with daily challenges, appears to fit CANSAS-P items. These subscales may contribute to research and improve treatment of psychiatric patients.