Examination of validity, reliability, and interpretability of a self-reported questionnaire on Occupational Balance in Informal Caregivers (OBI-Care) – A Rasch analysis

Abstract

Objectives Informal caregivers often experience a restriction in occupational balance. The self-reported questionnaire on Occupational Balance in Informal Caregivers (OBI-Care) is a measurement instrument to assess occupational balance in informal caregivers. Measurement properties of the German version of the OBI-Care had previously been assessed in parents of preterm infants exclusively. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the measurement properties of the questionnaire in a mixed population of informal caregivers. Methods A psychometric study was conducted, applying a multicenter cross-sectional design. Measurement properties (construct validity, internal consistency, and interpretability) of each subscale of the German version of the OBI-Care were examined. Construct validity was explored by assessing dimensionality, item fit and overall fit to the Rasch model, and threshold ordering. Internal consistency was examined with inter-item correlations, item-total correlations, Cronbach’s alpha, and person separation index. Interpretability was assessed by inspecting floor and ceiling effects. Results A total of 196 informal caregivers, 171 (87.2%) female and 25 (12.8%) male participated in this study. Mean age of participants was 52.27 (±12.6) years. Subscale 1 was multidimensional, subscale 2 and subscale 3 were unidimensional. All items demonstrated item fit and overall fit to the Rasch model and displayed ordered thresholds. Cronbach’s Alpha and person separation index values were excellent for each subscale. There was no evidence of ceiling or floor effects. Conclusions We identified satisfying construct validity, internal consistency, and interpretability. Thus, the findings of this study support the application of the German version of the OBI-Care to assess occupational balance in informal caregivers.

Development and validation of a multi-dimensional scale to measure the factors influencing fintech firms’ capacity to impact digital financial inclusion

“…Since the data collected was categorical in nature, the reduction of the item pool was based on inter-item and item-total correlations, as recommended by Raykov and Marcoulides (2011). Röschel, Wagner, and Dür (2021) recommended using inter-item correlations (within a range of 0.20 and 0.50 and positive) and item-total correlations (within a range of 0.30 and 0.70 and positive) to reduce the number of items. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the final complete item pool of seventy items.…”

Associations between occupational balance, subjective health, and well-being of informal caregivers of older persons based on a cross-sectional study

“…Therefore, sample size calculation followed recommendations for the exploration of measurement properties with Rasch model analyses [ 35 ]. Further details on sample size calculation can be found somewhere else [ 33 , 36 ].…”

“…Another measure on occupational balance is available in German [ 37 ]. However, the OBI-Care is the only one which was specifically developed to assess occupational balance in informal caregivers [ 33 , 36 ].…”

“…Selected measures were found to be valid and reliable [ 33 , 36 , 41 , 44 , 46 , 49 , 50 ]. Information on existing cut off points of the selected measures can be found elsewhere [ 42 , 44 , 47 , 51 , 52 ].…”