Development of Family Resilience Scale for Family Carers of Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To develop and validate a family resilience scale for family carers of Parkinson’s disease patients (FRS-PD).

Methods: A draft scale was developed based on preceding studies and qualitative research. The validity of the scale content was verified. A questionnaire survey was conducted on family carers. Based on the collected data, the reliability and validity of the developed scale were tested.

Results: A total of 672 responses were collected (return rate 21.6%), and the 640 valid responses were analyzed (response rate 20.6%). The FRS-PD consisted of 38 items and the following 10 subscales: [positivity], [sharing emotions], [resources outside of the family], [relationships with extended kin], [problem-solving ability], [collaboration with fellow patients], [flexibility], [connectedness], [finding meaning in adversity], and [determining the situation]. The internal consistency and model fit of the scale were acceptable.

Conclusion: This scale serves as an evaluation index for family resilience in family carers of Parkinson’s disease patients, and can be used by professionals to promote family understanding and foster family resilience.