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Updated: May 6, 2026
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
The stroke caregiver unmet resource needs scale: development and psychometric testing.
Rosemarie B King1, Robert J Hartke, Jungwha Lee
1Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Rosemarie B. King, PhD RN FAHA FAAN, at rbking@northwestern.edu. She is a Research Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Robert J. Hartke, PhD MPH, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a Psychologist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Jungwha Lee, PhD MPH, is an Assistant Professor at the Biostatistics Collaboration Center and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Jason Raad, MS, is a Project Coordinator, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes, Chicago, IL.
This study developed and validated the Unmet Resource Needs (URN) measure for stroke caregiver support. Findings show a decrease in unmet needs over time, but many caregivers still require assistance one year post-discharge.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Caregivers of stroke survivors face significant unmet resource needs.
- Understanding these needs is crucial for effective post-stroke care and support.
- Existing measures may not fully capture the scope of caregiver resource deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Unmet Resource Needs (URN) measure for stroke survivors' caregivers.
- To describe the nature and trajectory of caregivers' unmet needs over one year post-discharge.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal, descriptive design utilizing psychometric testing.
- Item development based on literature review and preliminary findings.
- Reliability and validity (content, construct, concurrent) assessed using 6-month postdischarge data (n=166).
Main Results:
- A 12-item, two-factor URN measure was developed, identifying general and technology-related unmet needs.
- Satisfactory internal consistency reliability was observed, with concurrent validity supported by correlations with relevant constructs.
- A significant decrease in unmet needs was found from baseline to 12 months postdischarge (p < .001), yet 42% reported unmet needs at year 1.
Conclusions:
- The URN measure is a reliable and valid tool for assessing stroke caregiver needs.
- Ongoing assessment and counseling for unmet needs are vital throughout the caregiving journey.
- Targeted interventions are necessary to mitigate negative outcomes associated with persistent unmet needs.
