The Development and Psychometric Validation of a Comprehensive Measure Assessing Fear of Incompetence among Adults Who Have a Family Member with Dementia.

Ashley E Thompson,Rudy Rice,Anca M Miron,Jonathan M Rogers

doi:10.1155/2020/1910252

Abstract

Because the interpersonal skills of individuals with dementia often decline, family members may question their own ability to interact meaningfully. These family members may experience fear of incompetence (i.e., fear of being unable to relate in a meaningful way or take care of a close family member with dementia). Thus, the goal of this research was to develop, refine, and psychometrically validate a scale (Fear of Incompetence—Dementia Scale; FOI-D) assessing fear of incompetence in the context of relationships with a close family member diagnosed with dementia. Three online studies were conducted to accomplish the primary objective. In Study One, the factor structure of the FOI-D was assessed by conducting an exploratory factor analysis using data from 710 adults who indicated having a close living family member who had been diagnosed with dementia. In Study Two, the factor structure was validated via a confirmatory factor analysis and the psychometric properties were established using data from 636 adults who had a family member with dementia. Finally, Study Three determined the temporal consistency of the scale by retesting 58 participants from Study Two. The results from Study One indicated that the FOI-D Scale accounted for 51.75% of the variance and was comprised of three subscales: the Interaction Concerns subscale, the Caregiving Concerns subscale, and the Knowledge Concerns subscale. In Study Two, the three-factor structure was supported, resulting in a 58-item scale. Investigation of the psychometric properties demonstrated the FOI-D to be reliable and valid. In Study Three, the FOI-D Scale demonstrated excellent temporal consistency. This research provides future investigators, educators, and practitioners with an adaptable comprehensive tool assessing fear of incompetence in a variety of settings.

Highlights

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes significant cognitive decline, negatively impacting quality of life of those affected by this disease [1]. e effects on cognition include deficits in problem solving skills, episodic memory, concentration, thinking, and interpersonal skills
A er receiving ethics approval from our institutions’ IRBs, participants were recruited via MTurk® via advertisements indicating that participants would be asked to complete a brief and anonymous online survey on “emotions experienced during interpersonal interactions.” e decision to withhold the purpose of the study was to ensure that participants were not fabricating a relationship with a family member with dementia in order to participate
Data were cleaned according to procedures outlined by Tabachnick and Fidell [24]

Summary

Introduction

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes significant cognitive decline, negatively impacting quality of life of those affected by this disease [1]. e effects on cognition include deficits in problem solving skills, episodic memory, concentration, thinking, and interpersonal skills. E effects on cognition include deficits in problem solving skills, episodic memory, concentration, thinking, and interpersonal skills As these symptoms progress, they create increasing burden on the family members of individuals with dementia [2,3,4]. In the context of relationships with a family member with dementia, we define fear of incompetence as the fear of being unable to relate in a meaningful way, communicate, or take care of a close family member diagnosed with dementia. In interpersonal relationships, this fear can lead to avoidance of face-to-face interactions [6, 7] and likely a host of other negative relationship outcomes. This fear can lead to avoidance of face-to-face interactions [6, 7] and likely a host of other negative relationship outcomes. us, the goal of the current program of research was to construct and empirically validate a psychometric scale assessing fear of incompetence in the context of relationships

Objectives

Methods

Results