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On the development of a multidimensional Dutch pain assessment tool for children
Huda Huijer Abu-Saad1, Els Kroonen, Ruud Halfens
1Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limburg P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD MaastrichtThe Netherlands.
Insights
The Abu-Saad Pediatric Pain Assessment Tool uses word descriptors and a 10 cm scale to evaluate child pain. Factor analysis confirmed a 2-factor solution, validating its dimensions for assessing pediatric pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Assessment
- Psychometrics
- Child Health
Background:
- Assessing pain in children is complex, requiring validated tools.
- Existing pediatric pain assessment methods may lack comprehensive descriptors.
- The Abu-Saad Pediatric Pain Assessment Tool was developed to address these needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Abu-Saad Pediatric Pain Assessment Tool.
- To assess the reliability and construct validity of the tool.
- To identify the underlying dimensions of pediatric pain perception.
Main Methods:
- Inventory of pain word descriptors used by hospitalized Dutch children.
- Intensity rating of descriptors on a 10 cm scale by 355 children.
- Factor analysis to determine construct validity and underlying dimensions.
Main Results:
- Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83 indicated instrument homogeneity.
- Initial 3-factor solution showed distinct sensory, affective, and evaluative domains.
- A 2-factor solution provided the most intelligible conceptual pattern with minimal information loss.
Conclusions:
- The Abu-Saad Pediatric Pain Assessment Tool demonstrates good reliability and construct validity.
- The tool's dimensions were refined through factor analysis, yielding a practical 2-factor structure.
- This validated tool can aid in more accurate pediatric pain assessment.
Abstract:
The Abu-Saad Pediatric Pain Assessment Tool consists of 30 word descriptors in the sensory, affective and evaluative domains as well as a 10 cm scale that measures present and worst pain experienced by the child. In the first phase of the study an inventory was carried out of pain word descriptors used by hospitalized Dutch children. In the second phase, these word descriptors were given an intensity value on the 10 cm scale by 355 children. Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83 supported instrument homogeneity. Factor analysis (N = 355) was used to investigate construct validity. A 3-factor solution was carried out to evaluate the validity of the 3 dimensions of pain. Factor I consisted of items in the affective and evaluative domains and factors II and III items from the sensory domain. Ultimately a 2-factor solution provided the most intelligible conceptual pattern with the least loss of information. Conceptual composition and discussion of these factors are discussed and elaborated.