[Resources and self-management skills in multiple sclerosis patients - can the scale structure of the questionnaire FERUS be replicated?].
BACKGROUND
To assess resources and self-management skills the generic questionnaire FERUS was developed by Jack (2007) and validated and standardized in a sample of psychosomatic patients and of healthy people. The aim of this study was the psychometric review of the FERUS with a sample of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
The dimensional structure identified by Jack was replicated in an exploratory factor analyses as well as tested in a confirmatory factor analyses and the discrimination ability of the scales was examined.


RESULTS
Jack's results of the exploratory factor analyses and scale analyses were replicated essentially. After elimination of non-theory-compliant items, differentiation of the construct "motivation for change" and insertion of a second-order construct "self-management skills" a good confirmatorical model fit could be achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
The FERUS can be used for MS patients. The consideration of optimization proposals allows higher construct validity and a more economical use of FERUS.
Institut für Biologie und ihre Didaktik, Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg.
J
J
Feicke
Institut für Biologie und ihre Didaktik, Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg.
U
U
Spörhase
Institut für Psychologie, Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg.
M
M
Wirtz
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires