Evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Persons With Dementia During Post-Hospitalization Transition

Ashley Kuzmik; Marie Boltz; Barbara Resnick; Rhonda BeLue

doi:10.1891/JNM-D-20-00087

Evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Persons With Dementia During Post-Hospitalization Transition

J Nurs Meas. 2021 Sep 13:JNM-D-20-00087. doi: 10.1891/JNM-D-20-00087. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ashley Kuzmik¹, Marie Boltz², Barbara Resnick³, Rhonda BeLue⁴

Affiliations

¹ The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA akuzmik@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
² The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
³ University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
⁴ St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.

Abstract

Background and purpose: The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS) is a widely used instrument to measure caregiver preparedness. The purpose was to evaluate the PCS in African American and White caregivers of patients with dementia upon discharge from the hospital.

Methods: Factor structure, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the PCS were assessed in a sample of 292 family caregivers/patient dyads.

Results: One-factor structure of the PCS and measurement invariance by race was fully supported. Predicative validity revealed significant association between the PCS and anxiety (β = -.41, t = -7.61(287), p < .001), depression (β = -.44, t = -8.39(287), p < .001), and strain (β = -.48, t = -9.29(287), p < .001).

Conclusion: The PCS is a valid and meaningful tool to measure preparedness in African American and White family caregivers of persons with dementia during post-hospitalization transition.

Keywords: caregivers; dementia; hospital discharge; preparedness.

Abstract

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