Cross-cultural adaptation of the Caring Ability Inventory to Portuguese

Methodological study developed in two stages, cross-cultural adaptation, analysis of its reliability (reproducibility and internal consistency), and validity (content and construct). The sample comprised 148 informal caregivers of cancer patients and 64 nurses from a public health service.

Results

In the cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument, a satisfactory content validity was observed. After the pretest, the response scale was changed from seven to five points. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.76 and Cronbach’s alpha 0.78. Factorial analysis showed that the instrument items did not remain grouped in the original structure. However, they showed a similar internal consistency.

Conclusion

The Brazilian Portuguese version of CAI was shown to be reliable and valid, but new researches are needed to study the variations observed in the factorial distribution between the tool dimensions.

Validation studies; Caregivers; Nursing care; Oncology nursing

Dimensions and Items / CAI Statements	Cronbach’s alpha	Correlations (Item vs. total*)	Cronbach’s alpha (if item is deleted*)
Knowledge	0.70
A2 - Today is filled with opportunities		0.16	0.70
A3 - I usually say what I mean to others		0.20	0.70
A6 - I am able to like people even if they do not like me		0.46	0.66
A7 - I understand people easily		0.44	0.66
A9 - I get time to know other people		0.29	0.68
A19 - People can count on me to do what I say I will		0.23	0.69
A22 - I find meaning in every situation		0.35	0.68
A26 - I really like myself		0.34	0.68
A30 - I accept people just the way they are		0.48	0.66
A31 - When I care for someone else, I do not have to hide my feelings		0.24	0.69
A33 - I can express my feelings to people in a warm and caring way		0.38	0.67
A34 - I like talking to people		0.41	0.67
A35 - I regard myself as sincere in my relationships with others		0.45	0.68
A36 - People need space (room, privacy) to think and feel		0.08	0.71
Courage	0.74
A4 - There is very little I can do for a person who is helpless		0.35	0.72
A8 - I have seen enough in this world for what I need to know		0.40	0.72
A11 - There is nothing I can do to make life better		0.50	0.71
A12 - I feel uneasy knowing that another person depends on me		0.39	0.72
A13 - I do not like to go out of my way to help other people		0.39	0.72
A14 - In dealing with people, it is difficult to let my feelings shown		0.26	0.73
A15 - It does not matter what I say, as long as I do the correct thing		0.34	0.72
A16 - I find it difficult to understand how other persons feel if I have not had similar experiences		0.33	0.73
A23 - I am afraid to leave those I care for, because I am afraid of what might happen to them		0.31	0.73
A25 - I do not like to make commitments beyond the present		0.41	0.72
2A28 - New experiences are usually frightening to me		0.42	0.71
A29 - I am afraid to be open and let others see who I am		0.33	0.73
A32 - I do not like to be asked for help		0.26	0.73
Patience	0.63
A1 - I believe that learning takes time		0.10	0.66
A5 - I can see the need for change in myself		0.34	0.59
A10 - Sometimes I like to be involved and sometimes I do not like to be involved		0.17	0.65
A17 - I admire people who are calm, composed, and patient		0.44	0.57
A18 - I believe it is important to accept and respect the attitudes and feelings of others		0.42	0.59
A20 - I believe that there is room for improvement		0.31	0.61
A21 - Good friends look after each other		0.44	0.58
A24 - I like to offer encouragement to people		0.54	0.55
A27 - I see strengths and weaknesses (limitations) in each individual		0.30	0.60
A37 - I can be approached by people at any time		0.21	0.62
CAI	0.78

Dimensions	Groups	Mean	SD	SE	Median	IQ	Minimum	Maximum	n	p-values
Knowledge	ICs	57.82	5.64	0.46	57.0	8.0	44	70	148	<0.001**
	Ns	53.41	4.70	0.59	54.0	6.25	43	61	64
Courage	ICs	42.72	7.27	0.60	43.5	11.0	21	59	147	<0.001**
	Ns	50.91	5.30	0.66	51.0	6.0	35	63	64
Patience	ICs	43.20	3.80	0.31	44.0	5.0	29	50	148	0.003*
	Ns	41.80	3.39	0.42	42.0	4.25	35	49	64
CAI	ICs	143.74	11.05	0.91	145.0	13.25	111	175	148	0.089*
	Ns	146.11	9.17	1.15	147.5	14.25	127	163	64

Correlation variable pairs	Estimates	p-values
CAI vs. Knowledge	0.60	<0.001
CAI vs. Courage	0.60	<0.001
CAI vs. Patience	0.58	<0.001
Knowledge vs. Courage	-0.19	0.007
Knowledge vs. Patience	0.60	<0.001
Courage vs. Patience	-0.09	0.206

Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo R. Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002 São Paulo - SP/Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5576 4430 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actapaulista@unifesp.br

Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

[1] Corresponding author. Lúcia Marta Giunta da Silva. Rua Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. lsilva@unifesp.br