Factor structure in the Camberwell Assessment of Need

Abstract

Background: In order to define needs for care of people with severe mental illness, the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) is focused on measuring personal and social functioning. However, previous studies of the CAN have given inconsistent results in terms of what variables are actually being measured. Aims: To investigate the factor structure of the CAN. Method: Assessments of 741 out-patients (mean age 45.5 years, 50% females) with severe mental illness (68% schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder) were used in an exploratory maximum likelihood factor analysis. Results: Support was found for a three-factor model, comprising 13 ofthe 22 variables in the CAN, with the factors corresponding to functional disability (7 variables), social loneliness (3 variables) and emotional loneliness (3 variables). The remaining variables did not load on any factor. Conclusions: Exploratory factor analysis revealed three homogeneous dimensions in the CAN that may represent functional disability and two aspects of social health.