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Development and preliminary validation of the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis (CLCF) questionnaire: a 46-item measure of treatment burden for parent/carers of children with CF

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) are complex, labour-intensive, and perceived as highly burdensome by caregivers of children with CF. An instrument assessing burden of care is needed. DESIGN: A stepwise, qualitative design was used to create the CLCF with caregiver focus groups, participant researchers, a multidisciplinary professional panel, and cognitive interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preliminary psychometric analyses evaluated the reliability and convergent validity of the CLCF scores. Cronbach's alpha assessed internal consistency and t-tests examined test-retest reliability. Correlations measured convergence between the Treatment Burden scale of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) and the CLCF. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing CLCF scores in one vs two-parent families, across ages, and in children with vs without Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). RESULTS: Six Challenge subscales emerged from the qualitative data and the professional panel constructed a scoresheet estimating the Time and Effort required for treatments. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were adequate. Good convergence was found between the Total Challenge score and Treatment Burden on the CFQ-R (r=-0.49, p?=?0.02, n?=?31). A recent PA infection signalled higher Total Challenge for caregivers (F(23)11.72, p?=?0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The CLCF, developed in partnership with parents/caregivers and CF professionals, is a timely, disease-specific burden measure for clinical research.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 28, 2021
Online Publication Date Mar 8, 2022
Publication Date Oct 3, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Psychology & Health
Print ISSN 0887-0446
Publisher Routledge
Volume 38
Issue 10
Pages 1309-1344
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2021.2013483
Keywords cystic fibrosis; measure development; children; caregivers; treatment burden; treatments; 222
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08870446.2021.2013483

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