Content Validity of a Finding Balance Scale for Bereaved Caregivers: A Mixed Methods Approach
Finding balance was described by bereaved caregivers as “walking a fine line between deep grieving and moving on”. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a Finding Balance scale from qualitative research interview data. The thirty items for the original scale were based on quotes from research interviews with older persons who are bereaved family caregivers of palliative cancer patients and guided by the conceptual framework of Stroebe and Shut’s (1999) Dual Process Model of coping with bereavement.
The 30 items were evaluated by several participants from the original study and by local members of an association for grief and loss (N=19) for content validity. The scale was then shortened to 21 items. A mixed methods exploratory design instrument development model was used to develop a measure based on an insider’s perspective from the population to which the scale may then be applied in ongoing research and practice.
Lorraine Holtslander, Hollie Turner, Master’s student, Department of Psychology, Susan McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN Distinguished University Health Professor, University of South Florida
This research was funded by the Oncology Nursing Foundation research fellowship, through an unrestricted grant from Genetech BioOncology
