Abstract
The aim was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Gain in Alzheimer Care Instrument (GAIN), providing validity evidence based on its internal structure, reliability, item analysis, and relationships with other variables. A sample of 113 informal caregivers of people with dementia completed the GAIN, along with questionnaires assessing burden, general mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a single-factor structure with adequate fit indices. Reliability of GAIN scores was satisfactory, with McDonald's omega equal to .91. Items yielded adequate homogeneity indices. Validity evidence based on relationships with other variables was provided by positive correlations between GAIN scores and life satisfaction, and negative correlations with burden, general mental health problems, stress, anxiety, and depression. All these correlations were statistically significant, and most of them were of moderate magnitude. The Spanish version of the GAIN has a single-factor structure and satisfactory psychometric properties. It is quick and easy to apply and given the association between GAIN scores and other variables, it may be used to provide information about a caregiver's psychological health status.
Highlights
An informal caregiver is someone who provides unpaid care to another person, normally a family member or friend, who requires help due to physical or mental ill health, disability or problems associated with old age (Fowler, 2015; Settineri et al, 2014)
The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Gain in Alzheimer Care Instrument (GAIN) in a sample of Spanish informal caregivers of persons with dementia
We began by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to obtain new validity evidence based on the internal structure of the instrument
Summary
An informal caregiver is someone who provides unpaid care to another person, normally a family member or friend, who requires help due to physical or mental ill health, disability or problems associated with old age (Fowler, 2015; Settineri et al, 2014). In a similar vein, Netto et al (2009) proposed three kinds of gain: (a) Personal growth, related to increased patience and understanding and a sense of mastery and of having acquired new skills and personal qualities such as resilience or humility; (b) gains in relationships, in the sense of an improved relationship with the care recipient and an increased ability to relate to other older adults; and (c) higher-level gains, such as spiritual growth Based on the latter three categories, Yap et al (2010) developed the Gain in Alzheimer Care Instrument (GAIN) to measure the benefits of caring for a person with dementia. This analysis showed that GAIN scores were negatively correlated with burden (ZBI) and criticism (DMSS), and positively correlated with positive aspects of caring and with encouragement (DMSS) and active management (DMSS)
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