Development and psychometric evaluation of the Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale-Short Form for patients transferred from adult intensive care units to general wards.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop the Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale-Short Form as an assessment tool for relocation stress experienced by intensive care unit patients after transfer to general wards.

METHODS

This study included 535 intensive care unit patients at two tertiary care hospitals in South Korea from May to December 2018. Data were collected through face-to-face interview, using a structured questionnaire. Study 1 was conducted to estimate the factorial structure, and reliability of the scale. Study 2 was conducted to confirm the factorial structure of the scale.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Study 1 found that the new instrument had a good reliability (α = 0.92) and validity. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure and the scale continued to demonstrate good psychometric properties. The criterion validity showed that a low level of relocation stress syndrome was associated with higher satisfaction with the transfer process (r = -0.58, p < .001) and good general health status (r = -0.51, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The 10-item Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale was developed with appropriate validity and reliability. This scale can be used to assess relocation stress of patients in transition periods. This new scale requires cross-cultural validation.