Development and psychometric testing of the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale

Family caregivers of stroke survivors experience more depression, emotional problems, social inactivity, and general ill-health than noncaregiving individuals. While a number of instruments measure these variables in family caregivers, they are often too global, indicating the need for a situation-specific instrument measuring life changes resulting from providing care.

To develop and psychometrically test the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS) measuring changes in family caregiving outcomes in the stroke population.

48 items were developed, with 27 being judged as content valid by a panel of five experts. Psychometric testing with two convenience samples of family caregivers of stroke survivors (ns = 92, 104) was conducted using item analysis, Cronbach's alpha, factor analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression.

Item analysis in sample no. 1 resulted in a 12-item scale with alpha = .90. The scale was further shortened to a 10-item scale in sample no. 2 with alpha = .77. Unidimensionality was supported by factor analysis in both samples. Using hierarchical multiple regression, 63% of the variance of the 12-item BCOS in sample no. 1, and 45% of the variance of the 10-item BCOS in sample no. 2 was accounted for by the constructs in the conceptual model. Criterion-related validity was supported in both samples by significant correlations with the LIFE-3 and a criterion variable with the same response format as the BCOS. Significant BCOS correlations with the SF-36 Health Survey subscales in sample no. 2 provided further evidence of criterion-related validity.

The 10-item BCOS is a brief, easy to administer instrument that has evidence of reliability and validity in family caregivers of stroke survivors. The 10-item BCOS could serve as a valuable measure in research, as well as an assessment tool to identify family caregivers in need of intervention.