[Development of the short version of the informal caregiver burden assessment questionnaire]

Promoting Spiritual Coping of Family Caregivers of an Adult Relative with Severe Mental Illness: Development and Test of a Nursing Intervention

Severe mental illness disrupts daily functioning, burdening family caregivers, who often adopt spiritual coping strategies. With comprehensive skills, mental health nurses can promote well-being and mental health. The aim is to develop and test the nursing intervention "promoting spiritual coping" in the family caregivers of home-dwelling people with mental illness. This study was conducted in two distinct stages. Initially, the intervention was developed according to the first phase of the Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions. Secondly, the intervention protocol was tested in a mixed-method pilot study. An intervention protocol was developed and tested on ten family caregivers. The intervention comprised three sessions, and before-and-after assessments were conducted. Significant improvements were observed in the outcomes, with caregivers expressing that discussing spirituality and religiosity benefited them. This intervention prioritized the therapeutic relationship of the nurses and family caregivers. The intervention "promoting spiritual coping" was created and evaluated as a suitable approach for mental health nurses to use in a psychotherapeutic context with family caregivers of individuals with mental illness.

Validation of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire for Brazil - short version

OBJECTIVES

to cross-culturally adapt the short version of the Informal Caregiver Burden Assessment Questionnaire to the Brazilian culture and test its psychometric properties.

METHODS

the questionnaire was translated, adapted, and applied to a sample of 280 informal caregivers. The psychometric assessment was verified by estimating psychometric sensitivity and internal structure validity.

RESULTS

inter-rater agreement was satisfactory among specialists. In the seven-factor model, item (Q9) of the domain "Perception of Efficacy and Control Mechanisms" showed a factor loading less than 0.40 (ʎ = 0.26), and an alternative six-factor model was evaluated. However, both models showed excellent fit indices, and it was decided to keep the seven-factor reference model. Reliability was satisfactory for the seven subscales (α > 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

the questionnaire was adapted and showed adequate psychometric indices in the Brazilian context in which it was evaluated, preserving its original essence.

Validação do Questionário de Avaliação da Sobrecarga do Cuidador Informal para o Brasil – versão curta

RESUMO Objetivos: adaptar transculturalmente a versão curta do Questionário de Avaliação da Sobrecarga do Cuidador Informal para cultura brasileira e testar suas propriedades psicométricas. Métodos: o questionário foi traduzido, adaptado e aplicado em uma amostra de 280 cuidadores informais. A avaliação psicométrica foi verificada pela estimativa da sensibilidade psicométrica e validade da estrutura interna. Resultados: a concordância interavaliadores foi satisfatória entre os especialistas. No modelo de sete fatores, o item (Q9) do domínio “Percepção dos Mecanismos de Eficácia e Controle” apresentou carga fatorial menor do que 0,40 (ʎ = 0,26), e um modelo alternativo de seis fatores foi avaliado. No entanto, os dois modelos evidenciaram ótimos índices de ajustamento, e optou-se por manter o modelo-referência de sete fatores. A confiabilidade mostrou-se satisfatória para as sete subescalas (α > 0,70). Conclusões: o questionário foi adaptado e demonstrou índices psicométricos satisfatórios no contexto brasileiro em que foi avaliado, preservando sua essência original.

Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the validity based on the internal structure and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) applied to informal caregivers of dependent elderly. Method: A methodological study with 120 informal caregivers of the elderly. Validity based on the internal structure evaluated by exploratory factorial analysis, with extraction of main factorial axes, varimax orthogonal rotation and retention of factors by parallel analysis. Reliability assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The instrument revealed a factorial structure different from the original version: three factors were identified, equivalent to subscales, self-esteem, daily activities and family support, with explained variance of 42%. The values of the Cronbach alpha for the items belonging to each subscale were, respectively: 0.71, 0.81 and 0.83. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of CRA presents good evidence of validity based on internal structure and is reliable, and can be used to assess the overload of informal caregivers of dependent elderly.