The Chinese version of the PSS:PICU.

BACKGROUND

Before an established research instrument is adopted for use in a cultural context different from that where it was developed, its validity and reliability must be reassessed so that it is applicable to and congruent with the culture of the population under study.

OBJECTIVES

To translate the Parental Stressor Scale: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PSS:PICU) into Chinese, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version.

METHODS

A prospective study investigated 81 parents of 75 children admitted to a PICU in two hospitals. Parents completed the Chinese versions of the PSS:PICU and the state anxiety scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

RESULTS

Factor analysis and item-subscale correlations supported the conceptual dimensions of the original instrument. The internal consistency of the Chinese version was high. Most of the subscales were moderately correlated with each other and strongly correlated with the total score. The convergent validity with the state anxiety scale in the Chinese version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was reflected by a weak correlation for the overall scale and for the subscales.

CONCLUSIONS

Although some satisfactory psychometric properties of the translated instrument were found in this study, they should be used as a reference for studies with larger samples. The current form is not ready for wide dissemination until more concrete research evidence is available.