title: Reliability and validity of the COPE Index among caregivers of disabled people.
abstract: To study the reliability and validity of the Carers of Older People in Europe (COPE) Index among caregivers of disabled people of different ages.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional design of Finnish caregivers (n=1117). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed separately on samples of three different age groups, and the internal consistencies of the subscales were investigated.
  
  
  
  Three factors were identified; Cronbach's alpha was 0.83-0.86 for negative impact and 0.77-0.78 for quality of support, indicating good internal consistency. The third factor, positive value, was less consistent across the age groups (α<0.66).
  
  
  
  The COPE Index is a valid and reliable screening tool to measure negative impact and quality of support of caregivers of disabled people. Further research is needed to develop the COPE Index to more precisely measure positive value of the caregiving process.
authors.affiliation: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, GeroCenter, Foundation for Aging Research and Development, Oravankuja 14, 40400 Jyväskylä, Finland. Electronic address: kristiina.juntunen@gerocenter.fi.
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Juntunen
authors.affiliation: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, GeroCenter, Foundation for aging Research and Development, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Riku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nikander
authors.affiliation: University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Törmäkangas
authors.affiliation: Kela, The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tillman
authors.affiliation: Kela, The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna-Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Salminen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: Caregiver; Cross-sectional studies; Factor analysis; Reliability; Validity