Psychometric properties of the Blood Donation Reactions Inventory: a subjective measure of presyncopal reactions to blood donation

Abstract

Presyncopal reactions are among the most common systemic reactions experienced by blood donors, occur most frequently in novice donors, and can serve as a deterrent to future donation regardless of donation experience. This report describes the validation of a presyncopal reactions scale that can be used to standardize assessment of the donor's subjective experience. A psychometric analysis of the Blood Donation Reactions Inventory (BDRI), a measure of presyncopal reactions, was conducted using data obtained from two independent samples of volunteer blood donors. Based on these analyses, a new, brief version of the BDRI is proposed, and psychometric data regarding the reliability and construct validity of this instrument are presented. Results of confirmatory factor analyses indicate that a 4-item version of the BDRI can be used to assess subjective perception of mild, prefaint symptoms. Additional analyses indicate that the BDRI has good internal consistency and demonstrates concurrent validity relative to other indices of donor reactions (e.g., donor chair reclines and loss of consciousness). Construct validity is supported by factor analyses, expected score differences in different donor groups, and convergent validation against measures of donor satisfaction and likelihood of repeat donation. The BDRI provides an assessment of subjective ratings of presyncopal symptoms that is brief, easily understood by donors, and quick to administer and score. The BDRI yields important information about the donor's experience that can be used to predict satisfaction and likelihood of repeat donation.