Family Worries Scale of Head Trauma Patients: Development and Validation

Background and Purpose: Traumatic events in patients can cause psychological distress, including worry, among their family members. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Family Worries Scale for Trauma Patients. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Items were generated through conventional content analysis and refined via expert panel review (n = 15) and cognitive interviews. Construct validity was assessed using principal component analysis (n = 200), while convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated with the Worry Domains Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: The final 40-item scale included five dimensions: patient-related worries, family member-related worries, trauma ward-related worries, health care provider-related worries, and treatment-related worries. The scale-level content validity index averaged .91. Convergent and discriminant validity were .78 and .86, respectively. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was .94. Conclusions: The Family Worries Scale demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability and can be used to assess family worries during trauma patient admission.