Diseño y validación de una escala para la medición de la dedicación al cuidado en personas cuidadoras de mayores dependientes (DeCuida)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a scale to measure caregiving dedication regarding activities of daily living in caregivers of dependent older people. DesignCross-sectional study. LocationPrimary Health Care (Andalusia, Spain). Participantsa probabilistic sample of 200 caregivers of older relatives from Córdoba, Spain. Main measurementsContent validation by experts, construct validity (by exploratory factor analysis), divergent validity and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability and inter-observers reliability). ResultsCronbach's alpha was 0.86. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.96 for test-retest reliability and 0.88 for inter-observers reliability. When the sample was divided in two groups according to perceived burden level (presence and absence), the perceived burden was significantly different in each group (P=.001). The factor analysis revealed one only factor that explained 64% of the variance. ConclusionsThe scale allows a suitable measure of caregiving dedication regarding activities of daily living in caregivers of older people, because this scale allows a quickly, easy administration, is well accepted by caregivers, has acceptable psychometric results and includes the frequency of caregiving, the kind of attended need and the dependence level in each need.