Psychometric Testing and Modification of the Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Strain Risk Screen

Background and Purpose: The Caregiver Strain Risk Screen-10 (CSRS-10) was psychometrically tested as a modification of the 28-item Caregiver Strain Risk Screen (CSRS) to measure risk for strain in caregivers of persons with Parkinson's disease. Risk for strain in this population is high because of the unpredictability of disease progression. Methods: Caregivers (N = 223) provided data for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the factor structure of the items. Results: CFA and subsequent modification indices supported a 10-item, single-factor model and was determined to be a valid, reliable measure of risk for strain in this population. Conclusions: The CSRS-10 is an efficient, theory-based instrument to assess caregiver strain risk throughout the care recipient's illness progression. It is ideal for researchers and nurses seeking a succinct strain risk measure for this population.