Psychometric properties of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale incaregivers of stroke survivors

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) in caregivers of stroke survivors. Background: Caregiver preparedness can have an important impact on both the caregiver and the stroke survivor. The validity and reliability of the CPS has not been tested for the stroke-caregiver population. Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to study a sample of 156 caregivers of stroke survivors. Construct validity of the CPS was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. Results: Caregivers were, on average, 54 year old (SD=13.2) and most were women (64.7%). CFA supported the unidimensionality of the scale (comparative fit index=0.98). Reliability was also supported: item-reliability index and item-total correlations above 0.30; composite reliability index=0.93; Cronbach's alpha=0.94; factor score determinacy=0.97; and test-retest reliability=0.92. Conclusion: The CPS is valid and reliable in caregivers of stroke survivors. Scores on this scale may assist health-care providers in identifying caregivers with less preparedness to provide specific interventions.