Psychometric Properties of the Thai version of Caregiver Reaction Assessment Tool among Caregivers who Providing Care for Dependent Elderly Persons

Abstract

Abstract The Caregiver Reaction Assessment Tool (CRAT) is a multidimensional instrument designed to measure caregiver’s experience while caring for elderly people with chronic illnesses in western countries. It is important to quantify the CRAT in traditional Thai society using cross-cultural translation and validate the instrument in measuring Thai informal caregivers who are providing care for elderly people. This study involved the cross-cultural translation process of the scale into Thai and evaluation of its psychometric properties with 354 caregivers of dependent elderly persons in Northern Thailand. Data were collected via paper-pencil surveys between October 2021 and March 2022, also caregivers completed a demographic form. The forward–backward translation, followed by exploratory factor analysis. The content validity index was high (I-CVI range from 0.83-1.00 and S-CVI = 0.90). Three items in the CRAT-Thai version were deleted, the other 21 items appeared to have a similar structure as the original version with five essential subscales: impact on schedule, lack of family support, caregiver’s esteem, impact on finances, and impact on health, explained 62.77% of the variation with all factors loading greater than .40. The internal consistency reliabilities for the items belonging to each subscale were, respectively: 0.85, 0.83, 0.81, 0.81, and 0.83. The Thai version of CRAT presents good evidence of reliability and validity based on internal structure. The further testing with Thai informal caregivers in different region should be made before using in all clinical setting. Keywords: Dependent elderly persons, Caregivers, Psychometric testing, Caregiving reaction