Toward the Development of the Cerebrovascular Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CABS): A Measure of Stroke-Related Health Beliefs

Abstract

Purpose: To develop a measure of stroke-related health beliefs, derived from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and a measure of stroke risk factor behavior change. Method: The Cerebrovascular Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CABS) was devised to assess survivors’ beliefs and attitudes about their susceptibility to future stroke, the perceived seriousness of stroke, and the likely benefits and barriers associated with undertaking behaviors to reduce stroke risk. A second measure, the Stroke Behavior Change Inventory (SBCI), as well as a version developed for relatives (SBCI-R), was devised to assess participants’ pre- and poststroke risk factor behavior. Results: Forty-two stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) survivors accurately described behavior changes they had undertaken poststroke, when compared to relatives’ reports of such behavior (n = 7). Most survivors changed at least some behaviors poststroke to reduce their stroke risk. Further analysis to determine the role of health beliefs in predicting behavior change poststroke was undertaken, focusing on those behaviors that were changed in a large enough proportion of the sample. The beliefs most predictive of behavior change related to perceived stroke seriousness and severity, but the combination of beliefs from the HBM was not predictive of behavior change. Conclusion: After stroke or TIA, most survivors change their behavior in ways that would contribute to stroke risk reduction. Such effects can be demonstrated using survivor self-report or relatives’ report of survivors’ behaviors. Using the CABS, partial support for health belief variables as predictors of such behavior change was also identified, suggesting that further investigation of these variables is warranted.

Keywords:

• cerebrovascular accident
• Health Belief Model
• health promotion
• prevention
• stroke