Exploring the use of the Dementia Management Strategies Scale in caregivers of persons with dementia in Singapore

Abstract

Background: Well-being in persons with dementia (PWD) depends much on the quality and type of care received. The Dementia Management Strategies Scale (DMSS) is a useful instrument to appraise care styles of caregivers. The present study expanded on previous research by refining and establishing the scale's content validity and psychometric properties in the Singapore context. Method: Five family caregivers and four dementia care professionals (nurse, occupational therapist, social worker and doctor) reviewed the DMSS for content validity. Two hundred and forty-six family caregivers completed questionnaires which assessed caregiver and patient characteristics, and dementia management strategies with DMSS. Internal consistency reliability was assessed and construct validity was evaluated through Pearson's correlation with extant instruments. Results: Eight items from the 28-item DMSS were omitted after content review as they were deemed inappropriate in our socio-cultural setting. A factor analysis with Varimax rotation confirmed a two-factor structure (positive and negative dimensions) for the revised DMSS (rDMSS). The two subscales showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .89 and .87). Moderate to strong correlations (.35–.53) with the scales, Zarit Burden Instrument, Revised Memory and Behavioural Problems Checklist, General Health Questionnaire, Short Sense of Competence Scale, Gains in Alzheimer's Care Instrument and Positive Aspects of Caregiving established convergent and divergent construct validity of rDMSS. Conclusion: The shortened 20-item rDMSS is a psychometrically valid instrument which can serve as a measure of dementia care strategy from the perspective of the caregiver in Singapore.