title: Development of an Experience-Based Caregiver Burden Scale in Advanced Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family caregivers complete caregiving tasks but may not explore their own feelings about their caregiving experience.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to develop an experience-based caregiving burden scale for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and to estimate its predictive value for depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The instrument was first systematically constructed on the basis of data obtained from detailed interviews of 12 caregivers. Then, 134 caregivers completed the questionnaire as a field test to estimate the psychometric properties of the developed tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We achieved a 13-item Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) with 3 dimensions: health impact, role competence, and resource and growth. The construct validity, criterion-related validity, and internal consistency reliability of the CBS were satisfactory. A CBS score higher than 25.5, or health impact subscale score higher than 10.5, or role performance score higher than 7.5 indicated significant depression and the need for assistance from healthcare providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CBS has adequate reliability and validity to assess the burden experienced by caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. It was also predictive for significant depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses may use the CBS to provide timely assistance to family caregivers during their caregiving for a patient with advanced-stage cancer.
authors: Author Affiliations: School of Nursing and Department of Nursing, China Medical University Hospital (Dr Lee); and Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taichung Veteran General Hospital (Dr Yiin), Taichung; and Department of Nursing, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City (Dr Chao), Taiwan.
authors: Kwo-Chen
authors: KC
authors: Lee
authors: Jia-Jean
authors: JJ
authors: Yiin
authors: Yann-Fen
authors: YF
authors: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires