Psychometric properties of the self-care inventory for chronic diseases in older adults residing in Portuga

Abstract

Objective: Chronic illness requires various treatments, and self-care is a crucial aspect of the care process. Assessing self-care behaviors not only makes identifying patients’ needs easier but also enhances education and care processes. This study assessed the psychometric properties (validity, reliability, and measurement error) of the Chronic Disease Self-Care Inventory questionnaire, patient version, in Portuguese. Methods: A sample of individuals with multiple chronic diseases was carefully recruited from outpatient clinics in Portugal. Patients completed the questionnaire, which included three subscales: self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Factorial validity was examined for each subscale using exploratory factor analysis employing FACTOR software. Reliability was estimated using the factor loadings of the factorial model (composite reliability coefficient as a reliability measure). Confirmatory factor analysis employing the lavaan package for R statistics software was used to ascertain the relationships between the questionnaire’s subscales: self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Results: The self-care maintenance and monitoring subscales had a unidimensional structure, while the self-care management subscale presented a two-dimensional structure. Reliability estimates were adequate. Construct validity was supported. The measurement error was adequate. Conclusions: The Portuguese version of the SC-CII showed good psychometric properties in the Portuguese sample, proving to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management in individuals with chronic illnesses.