Development and psychometric validation of the family resource scale for parents of children with developmental delay

This study developed the family resource scale for parents of children with developmental delay (FRS-DD) and evaluated its validity and reliability.

Based on qualitative research, 42 items were drafted and evaluated through a pilot study and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to verify factor structure and item composition. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess scale convergent validity.

An expert review suggested removing nine items; the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.80 to 1, and the scale content validity index/average was 0.93. The pilot study results led to the removal of eight items that did not reach significance. The first round of EFA led to the removal of two items with factor loadings <0.50. The second round yielded factor loadings ranging from 0.53 to 0.80. The FRS-DD consisted of 23 items across 4 factors: psychological and social support, needs for early intervention, childcare assistance, and financial resources. The convergent validity analysis revealed a positive correlation between WHOQOL-BREF and FRS-DD scores (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). Cronbach's α for the total scale was 0.95, and the subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.94. Test-retest reliability yielded an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92.

The FRS-DD is a reliable, valid, and user-friendly tool for pediatric nurses that enhances the quality of care.

The scale provides health-care providers with a practical tool to rapidly assess parents' family resources and enable them to recommend resources that meet their caregiving needs.