Development and Psychometric Testing of the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale (D-CASS), a measure of how difficult or easy caregiver activity and supportive behaviors are for family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, criterion-related validity, and construct validity were examined in 101 family caregivers of persons with T2DM. Participants were recruited using study brochures distributed at a large hospital in the Midwest and at statewide American Indian Pow Wows. Additionally, study brochures were available via a link on Facebook. Data collection occurred by telephone, face-to-face, or through Facebook using measures with evidence of reliability and validity. Family caregivers were predominately female (82.2%), spouses (50.2%), and American Indian (17%), African American (24%), or white (55%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and psychometric analyses. Results The psychometric analyses resulted in an 11-item D-CASS with evidence of internal consistency reliability (alpha = .82) and test-retest reliability. Evidence of construct validity was obtained using 3 hierarchical multiple regressions guided by a conceptual model. Factor analysis supported the unidimensionality of the D-CASS. Conclusion The 11-item D-CASS is a brief and easy to administer instrument that has evidence of reliability and validity in family caregivers of persons with T2DM.