Psychometric validation of the Chinese version of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire among parents of children with cancer

Abstract

PurposeAlthough burnout recently emerged as a harmful syndrome in parents, no instrument has been validated to suitably assess burnout among parents of children with cancer in China. In this study, we aimed to psychometrically validate the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ) among Chinese parents of children with cancer. Design and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 380 parents of children with cancer to psychometrically validate the SMBQ. Content validity, construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity, diagnosis accuracy, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were evaluated. ResultsThe Chinese version of the SMBQ demonstrated adequate internal consistency, good test-retest reliability, good content validity, excellent convergent and discriminant validity, and appropriate criterion-related validity. Using the parental burnout assessment as a reference criterion, the area under the curve was 0.903. The optimal cut-off point for the SMBQ was 4.833. The factor model of the SMBQ used in Chinese parents of children with cancer had a good fit. The survey revealed that Chinese parents of children with cancer experienced a high level of burnout (3.86 ± 1.03). ConclusionsThe Chinese version of SMBQ was reliable and valid for assessing burnout in parents of children with cancer. Parents of children with cancer experienced a high level of burnout in China. Implications for practiceThis SMBQ can be used in Chinese clinical and research settings to investigate burnout in parents who have children with cancer. Further research could examine the predictive validity and validity.