A psychometric validation study of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish cancer family caregivers.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients.

METHODS

This is a descriptive study involving 100 family caregivers of cancer patients. The validity and reliability study of the scales was performed in two phases. Phase I focused on the construction of the Turkish version of the instruments and pilot testing. Phase II was the psychometric assessment of the scales.

RESULTS

The caregivers stated that the two questionnaires were easy to read and to understand. However, the psychometric validation performed afterwards revealed that both the ordering of the factor loadings and content of the scales were influenced by prevailing characteristics of Turkish society. Caregivers were satisfied with the care their patients received, and family concerns were the most negatively affected quality-of-life (QOL) dimensions. Factors affecting the QOL and satisfaction with care were age, co-residence, relationship to patient, gender of the patients and caregivers, stage of the disease of the patient and marital status of the caregivers.

CONCLUSION

Psychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales demonstrates that these culturally adapted scales are valid and reliable tools to assess the QOL and satisfaction of Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients.