Measuring the psychosocial characteristics of family caregivers of palliative care patients: psychometric properties of nine self-report instruments

Peter L Hudson, Karla Hayman-White, Peter Hudson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Researchers and clinicians have experienced substantial difficulties locating measures that are suitable for use within palliative care settings. This article details the psychometric properties of nine instruments designed to assess the following psychosocial characteristics of family caregivers: competence, mastery, self-efficacy, burden, optimism, preparedness, social support, rewards, and mutuality. Results are based on the responses of 106 primary family caregivers caring for relatives dying of cancer. Principal components extraction with varimax rotation was used to explore the underlying structure of each measure. Following the exclusion of complex variables, suggested components for most measures comprised relatively homogenous items, which were good to excellent measures of each component. Some components comprised only two items; however, Cronbach's alphas typically indicated moderate to high levels of internal consistency. Overall, the results of this study suggest that most of the measures analyzed, excepting the mastery and mutuality scales, can be recommended to examine the family caregiver experience and test supportive interventions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-28
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2006

Keywords

  • Clinical Competence
  • Set (Psychology)
  • Neoplasms
  • Caregivers
  • Questionnaires
  • Reward
  • Self Concept
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care
  • Social Support
  • Attitude
  • Psychometrics

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