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

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.