Validation of the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers - cancer scale in an Asian population

Abstract

Background: The Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers- Cancer (NAFC-C) scale is shown to have adequate psychometric properties in assessing family caregiver needs during the cancer journey and its psychometric properties have been studied only in Western populations. This study sought to validate the NAFC-C in an Asian population for wider applicability. Methods: Participants (n= 363) completed questions on sociodemographics, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale,the Zarit Burden Interview, the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer scale, and the NAFC-C. Results: Results revealed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of the NAFC-C.Confirmatory factor analysis did not demonstrate a good fit of the NAFC-C in our sample. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a similar factor structure in this study’s population. Further reliability and validity analyses with the EFA factor structure demonstrated similar reliability and validity assessments. Conclusions: The NAFC-C is shown to be applicable in an Asian population. It would be a useful instrument for determining family caregivers’ needs and to inform future interventions to address those needs and improve or maintain quality of life in both patients and their caregivers.