Turkish Validation and Cultural Adaptation of the Family Care Ability Assessment Scale for Pediatric Oncology Caregivers.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the "Caring Ability of Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer Scale" in parents of children with cancer".

Methods: The current study has a methodological design. The study group consisted of 493 parents of children with oncological problems who were followed in the pediatric hematology-oncology departments of three university hospitals. Data were collected between January and December 2021 through convenience sampling. The face, content construct validity, internal consistency, and scale stability were evaluated. SPSS 26.0 and LISREL 8.80 package programs were used to analyze the data.

Results: In the confirmatory factor analysis; root mean- mean square error of approximation, comparative fit index, normed fit index, and non-normed fit index were determined to be 0.08, 0.93, 0.91, and 0.92, respectively. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient obtained from the entire scale was calculated to be 0.88, the stability correlation coefficient was 0.84 (p < .005) and the item-total correlation coefficient was calculated between 0.249 and 0.716.

Conclusions: The scale adapted to Turkish culture can be considered a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of the caring ability of family caregivers of patients with cancer.

Implications for nursing practice: The scale can be used to assess parents' caregiving abilities, to determine their strengths and weaknesses. In this respect, it can contribute to the creation of an education plan, the development of parents' caregiving abilities and the increase in the quality of care.