Urdu Translation and Validation of McGill Body Image Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to translate and validate the McGill Body Image Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients from English to Urdu, originally developed by Henry, (2018). The McGill Body Image Scale is used to assess the body image concerns among head and neck cancer, To ensure both linguistic and conceptual accuracy, the translation process was carried out by the Department of Urdu Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad. This process included rigorous forward and backward translation techniques, adhering to international best practices for cross-cultural adaptation of psychological instruments. The translated scale was administered to a sample of 225 H&NC mean 39.77 SD= 19.24, allowing for a robust analysis of its psychometric properties. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to examine the structural validity of the translated scale. The CFA results demonstrated a good fit to the hypothesized model, confirming that the Urdu version maintained the original two-factor structure—self-image and social discomfort. In terms of reliability, the translated scale showed excellent internal consistency. The Cronbach's alpha values for all subscales exceeded 0.98, indicating that the instrument reliably measures body image-related concerns in Urdu-speaking populations. Furthermore, the study established both convergent and discriminant validity through statistically significant correlations with existing, validated body image measures. This successful validation of the Urdu version of the McGill Body Image Scale adds a crucial tool for psycho- oncological research and clinical assessment in culturally diverse settings. It enables healthcare providers and researchers in Urdu-speaking communities to better understand and address the emotional and psychological challenges faced by HNC patients. For future research, it is recommended to use a dyadic design by including both patients and their caregivers across multiple hospitals. This approach would offer a richer, relational understanding of how body image concerns influence both personal well-being and interpersonal dynamics in the context of cancer care.

Keywords: self-image, social discomfort, head and neck cancer, disfigurement, body image.