The Translation and Validation of the Dutch Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS)

Abstract

The Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) is a questionnaire that is used to evaluate the perceived relationship between humans and their dog. This questionnaire was originally only formulated and validated in English, which limits its use among non-English speaking individuals. Although a translation could be made, the translation of questionnaires without additional validation often impairs the reliability of that questionnaire. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate a translation of the MDORS that is suitable for use among native Dutch speakers. To achieve this, a Dutch translation of the MDORS was made and checked for spelling/grammar mistakes, readability, feasibility, and clarity. A test–retest comparison was subsequently performed on the translation together with a calculation of Cronbach’s alpha score and principal component analysis (PCA). Through the PCA, we found that the three-factor model of the original MDORS was also largely present in the Dutch translation. However, deviations were also found, as several questions did not achieve high PCA scores in their original factor. Therefore, we propose that these questions are excluded from the Dutch MDORS.

The Dog–Owner Relationship: Refinement and Validation of the Italian C/DORS for Dog Owners and Correlation with the LAPS

“…Moreover, when testing the subscales for internal reliability they found Cronbach’s α values that were well below acceptable levels (POI = 0.43, PEC = 0.19, PC = 0.19). As van Houtert et al [ 21 ] suggest in their study, these findings highlight the importance of a thorough assessment of the validity and reliability of the MDORS when translated to new languages and targeting people from different cultures.…”

“…loaded just below the cut-off point in the PEC factor. In a previous study by Van Houtern et al [ 21 ] this item caused interpretative issues as it loaded on POI rather than the original PEC. On the contrary, in this study it loaded on the PEC factor, although not enough to suggest an association with the other items in the same dimension.…”

“…The C/DORS is a relatively new scale that combines all the items from the MDORS [ 11 ], a widely used scale that assesses the dog–owner relationship, and the CORS [ 22 ] a similar tool that instead focuses on the cat–owner relationship. While the MDORS has been translated into different languages [ 12 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], it has not been translated or validated in Italian. With regard to the C/DORS, the researchers who first developed it [ 22 ] suggest that all the items be administered to both dog and cat owners, in multispecies studies.…”

“…Finally, the Perceived Costs (PC) subscale includes items assessing negative aspects of the relationship or, in other words, the financial, social and emotional costs of caring for a pet [ 11 ]. The questionnaire has been translated into Swedish [ 19 ], Spanish [ 17 ], German [ 20 ], Danish [ 12 ] and Dutch [ 21 ]. In those cases where the translated versions were checked for differences from the original scale, some dissimilarities were observed.…”

“…Handlin et al [ 19 ] had to remove some items from their MDORS translation when they realised they were being misinterpreted by their sample of Swedish owners. Similarly, in the Dutch translation performed by Van Houtert et al [ 21 ] some items did not fit the original model and consequently had to be removed. Moreover, when testing the subscales for internal reliability they found Cronbach’s α values that were well below acceptable levels (POI = 0.43, PEC = 0.19, PC = 0.19).…”