Development of a Self-Evaluation Scale in Pain Assessment for Psychiatric Ward Nurses

Abstract

This study was performed with the aim of developing a self-evaluation scale in pain assessment for psychiatric ward nurses (SPAPN) and examining its reliability and validity. Ward nurses who had 5 or more years of experience in psychiatric nursing were given a survey questionnaire. We analyzed 1,010 out of 1,129 collected questionnaires (collection rate: 78.7%, valid response rate: 89.5%). Based on the analysis of each item, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis, 25 items and 3 factors were used for the scale. Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the entire scale was 0.94, showing a high internal consistency. The 3 factors were “the method to grasp the painful condition,” “the method to differentiate mental and physical symptoms,” and “the method to collect multidirectional and multifaced information,” which showed a similar constructive concept with that in the preceding our qualitative study. Regarding the goodness of fit of the model, the comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.87, and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.08, showing a certain level of model validity. Based on these findings, we confirmed that SPAPN would ensure reliability and validity for psychiatric nurses to evaluate the method that they use to assess pain in psychiatric patients.