Evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Persons With Dementia During Post-Hospitalization Transition.

Abstract

The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS) is a widely used instrument to measure caregiver preparedness. The purpose was to evaluate the PCS in African American and White caregivers of patients with dementia upon discharge from the hospital. Factor structure, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the PCS were assessed in a sample of 292 family caregivers/patient dyads. One-factor structure of the PCS and measurement invariance by race was fully supported. Predicative validity revealed significant association between the PCS and anxiety (β = -.41, t = -7.61(287), p < .001), depression (β = -.44, t = -8.39(287), p < .001), and strain (β = -.48, t = -9.29(287), p < .001). The PCS is a valid and meaningful tool to measure preparedness in African American and White family caregivers of persons with dementia during post-hospitalization transition.