Measuring personal growth in partners of persons with multiple sclerosis: A new scale

The purpose of this study was to describe the development and validation of a personal growth scale in caregiving partners of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Two studies were conducted: one to identify possible constructs and items, and another to and examine the instrument's psychometric properties. Study 1 consisted of focus groups of 39 partners of patients with MS, expert reviews, and qualitative methodology for identifying themes. In Study 2, the items generated were administered to a new sample (N = 315), and the instrument's psychometric properties were assessed.

Study 2 sample was suitable for principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA was performed with oblique rotation. A 6-component solution was deemed most parsimonious and interpretable. Subscales were formed and labeled as follows: Positivity, Appreciation, Acceptance, Insight, Independence, and Spirituality. Reliability analysis of the subscales showed acceptable to high internal consistency. A secondary PCA was performed on mean subscale scores. Five of the six subscales clustered together along one dimension, and the sixth, Spirituality, was found to be distinct as represented in a loading plot. This subscale was retained as an independent measure; the remaining subscale scores were summed to create a total score. Measures of convergent and discriminant validity evaluated against existing instruments yielded findings in the expected directions.

The dimensionality and structure of personal growth in caregiving partners of persons with MS were delineated in a novel instrument. Future studies should confirm its structure, establish classification criteria, and standardize it as an assessment tool. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).