Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Moroccan Dialect Version of the Zarit Scale of Dementia Caregivers’ Burden

Abstract

Introduction: The management of chronic diseases in general and neurological diseases in particular, given their complex nature, requires an increasing involvement of families. For this reason, several studies have attempted to describe the burden and needs of family dementia caregivers of patients with dementia around the world based on the ZaritAA scale. Because of its relevance, it has been translated and validated in many contexts around the world. However, there does not seem to be a valid Moroccan Arabic dialect version suitable for research in the Moroccan socio-cultural environment according to the scientific literature. Objective: Adapt and validate a Moroccan dialect version of Zarit (Zarit-MOR). Method: The Arabic translation of the Zarit scale was obtained. The prefianl version was then revised by a committee of experts, then tested out on a group of 34 participants, befor arriving at the final version. The Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The adapted version of the Zarit scale was 100% acceptable. The statistical analysis of Cronbach’s alpha coefficients shows a high internal correlation of the scale (0.88) among the caregivers, of whom 66.7% were female with a mean age of 47.17 years (SD±14.2 years). The Moroccan version shows a very good reliability with an intra-class correlation coefficient ICC of 0.87 [0.79-0.92]. Conclusion: The adapted version can be used reliably in Morocco, which will make it possible to assess the experiences of Moroccan informal caregivers in the face of dementia, as well as other chronic diseases.