Positive aspects of caregiving (PAC): scale validation among Chinese dementia caregivers (CG)

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2015 Mar-Apr;60(2):299-306. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2014.10.019. Epub 2014 Nov 7.

Abstract

Objectives: This study validates the psychometric properties of the PAC scale among Hong Kong Chinese informal dementia caregivers.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy-four caregivers responded to questionnaires including the Chinese version of the PAC scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), occurrence of problem behaviors, caregiver bother, caregiver confidence, and self-rated health (SRH). Translation and back translation were conducted in translating the PAC scale.

Results: Results of an exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) suggest two components in the 11-item Chinese PAC (C-PAC) scale, namely enriching life and affirming self. C-PAC demonstrates satisfactory reliability. Criteria-related validity of C-PAC is suggested by significant correlations with CES-D, SRH, occurrence of problem behaviors, caregiver bother, and caregiver confidence.

Conclusion: Our results support the psychometric properties of C-PAC among Hong Kong Chinese caregivers. This brief measure may help interventionists identify psychological resources of caregivers and capitalize these resources during strength-based interventions.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Caregiving gains; Chinese; Dementia; Positive aspects of caregiving.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asian People
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult