DEVELOPMENT OF THE BURDEN SCALE FOR CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to develop Scale of Care Burden of Caregivers of Dementia Patients.

Materials and Method: This methodically planned study, 145 caregivers who the care of patients with a diagnosis of dementia in Dementia Outpatient Clinic of Turgut Ozal Medical Center were included. 30-item question pool which was created as a result of literature review, was presented to five specialists in order to evaluate language and content validity. After the arrangements made in accordance with expert opinion, 29-item scale draft has begun to be implemented between the dates of November 2015 and January 2016. In order to determine the construct validity and sub-scales of the scale, factor analysis was conducted. To measure the scale's internal consistency, item analysis (item-total correlations) and Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficient were evaluated. In order to conduct reliability study and for invariance principle according to time, after 30 days the data has been reached again and the correlation coefficient was calculated by using retest method.

Results: Cronbach's Alpha value was found to be .88. For construct validity of the scale, as a result of the factor analysis, care burden scale is consisted by four factors as social (7 items), psychological (10 items), physical (4 items) and economic (3 items). As a result of factor analysis, the questionnaire was evaluated over 24-items. When the invariance according to time of the scale was evaluated with test and re-test analysis, there was no difference between the both two applications (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The scale was found highly valid and reliable.