title: Assessing the Impact of Caring for a Person with Schizophrenia: Development of the Schizophrenia Caregiver Questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The responsibilities of caring for a person with schizophrenia may significantly impact informal caregivers' lives. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was originally developed to assess burden among caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This research was conducted to inform the development of a revised version of the ZBI, relevant to caregivers of people with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on published qualitative research, the questionnaire was reviewed and modified in accordance with industry-standard guidelines. The resulting questionnaire [the Schizophrenia Caregiver Questionnaire (SCQ)] was then completed by 19 caregivers during cognitive debriefing interviews to assess understanding, relevance and comprehensiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Review of the ZBI resulted in a number of operational changes to improve face validity and potential sensitivity. Further questions were added based on key concepts identified in existing literature and minor phrasing alterations were made to improve content validity. Findings from caregiver interviews supported the content validity of the SCQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SCQ provides a comprehensive view of caregivers' subjective experiences of caregiving and demonstrated strong face and content validity. The questionnaire will be important in both clinical assessment and evaluating the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce or alleviate caregiver burden. Future research will seek to establish the psychometric validity of the questionnaire.
authors: Adelphi Values Ltd, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JB, UK. adam.gater@adelphivalues.com.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Gater
authors: Roche Products Ltd, Hexagon Place, 6 Falcon Way, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Rofail
authors: Adelphi Values Ltd, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JB, UK.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Marshall
authors: Adelphi Values Ltd, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JB, UK.
authors: Chloe
authors: C
authors: Tolley
authors: Adelphi Values Ltd, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire, SK10 5JB, UK.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Abetz-Webb
authors: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors: Steven H
authors: SH
authors: Zarit
authors: F. Hoffmann La-Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Carmen Galani
authors: CG
authors: Berardo
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*