Psychometric Properties of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) in caregivers of stroke survivors. Background: Caregivers 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 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 female (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 .30; composite reliability index =.93; Cronbach’s alpha =.94; factor score determinacy =.97; test-retest reliability =.92. Conclusion: The CPS has strong validity and reliability in caregivers of stroke survivors. Scores on this scale may assist health-care providers in identifying caregivers with less preparedness to provide specific interventions.