FAMILY CAREGIVING SKILL--MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION

本修订申请的目的是通过两项心理测量学研究来评估家庭护理技能概况(FCSP)的性质。FCSP是一种新的工具，它通过九个照顾过程来衡量家庭照顾技能。为了管理FCSP，对照顾者进行了半结构化访谈；然后，专家评分员对访谈内容进行编码，以确定62项照料技能指标的存在(1)或不存在(0)。分数是通过将积极的回答相加来计算的。研究1将使用50名癌症患者照顾者的样本来评估FCSP的信度、效度和可行性。将计算内部一致性和评分员之间的可靠性。有效性将通过检查FCSP总分与概念相关变量(护理者准备、能力和知识)、护理情况特征(与护理接受者的相互关系、护理困难)以及护理者和患者结果(护理者紧张和情绪困扰；患者症状困扰和卫生服务利用)之间的零级相关性来评估。可行性将通过计算FCSP的管理和评分所需的研究人员和参与者的时间来评估。FCSP将根据研究1的结果进行修订。研究2将在250名癌症患者照顾者的样本中记录修订后的FCSP的心理测量学特性。更大的样本量将允许更复杂的统计程序来评估经修订的FCSP。概化理论将被用来评估测量误差的两个来源：项目和评分员。将计算可归因于每一项的误差比例以及总体概化系数。结构效度将使用验证性因素分析(CFA)进行评估。FCSP的九个分量表和假设的项目载量将构成CFA的测量模型。将编写一本与FCSP一起使用的培训手册。FCSP将提供护理所需的诊断和评估工具，因为家庭照顾者在家庭急慢性疾病管理中发挥着越来越重要的作用。

The purpose of this revised application is to evaluate the properties of the Family Caregiving Skill Profile (FCSP) through 2 psychometric studies. The FCSP is a new instrument that measures family caregiving skill across nine caregiving processes. To administer the FCSP, a semi-structured interview is conducted with caregivers; expert raters then code the interview content for the presence (1) or absence (0) of 62 indicators of caregiving skill. Scores are calculated by summing positive responses. Study 1 will evaluate the reliability, validity, and feasibility of the FCSP using a sample of 50 caregivers of persons with cancer. Internal consistency and interrater reliability will be calculated. Validity will be assessed by examining zero-order correlations between total FCSP scores and conceptually-related variables (caregiver preparedness, competence, and knowledge), characteristics of the caregiving situation (mutuality with care receiver, caregiving difficulty), and caregiver and patient outcomes (caregiver strain and emotional distress; patient symptom distress and health services utilization). Feasibility will be assessed by calculating the researcher and participant time required for administration and scoring of the FCSP. The FCSP will be revised based on the result of Study 1. Study 2 will document the psychometric properties of the revised FCSP in a sample of 250 caregivers of persons with cancer. The larger sample size will allow more sophisticated statistical procedures for evaluation of the revised FCSP. Generalizability theory will be used to evaluate 2 sources of measurement error: items and raters. The proportion of error attributable to each will be calculated as will an overall generalizability coefficient. Construct validity will be evaluated using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The nine subscales of the FCSP and hypothesized item loadings will constitute the measurement model for the CFA. A training manual for use with the FCSP will be developed. The FCSP will provide a diagnostic and evaluative tool needed in nursing as family caregivers play a increasingly important role in management of acute and chronic illnesses at home.