Psychometric Examination of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory in Heart Failure Caregivers

Abstract

Background Psychometric properties of the 38-item version of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory (DOBI) have been evaluated primarily in older female caregivers, with no published studies that vary by a different gender and age distribution. Objective The aim of this study was to test the construct validity and reliability of the DOBI in caregivers of individuals with heart failure from the United States and other countries. Methods This secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study used an online survey. Factorial validity was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, item performance was examined with ordinal item response analysis, and convergent validity was tested correlating DOBI subscale scores with Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale scores. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach α. Results Item response analysis removed 14 items. Confirmatory factor analysis retained the original 4-factor solution. Original and reduced instruments demonstrated good internal consistency. Validity was supported by meaningful associations with the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale. Conclusions Both the original 38-item DOBI and the reduced 24-item DOBI had support for their construct validity and internal consistency. The 24-item DOBI may be a useful alternative to the 38-item version, because it maintains psychometric properties of the original instrument while decreasing data collection burden. However, more research is needed to assess whether the shorter version is useful in assessing objective caregiving burden.

The Subjective Component of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory

“…Most lived with someone else (82.83%). A detailed review of participant characteristics can be found in the previous psychometric analysis of the objective component of the DOBI 12 …”

“…Psychometric analyses of the objective component support its construct validity and reliability, using caregivers of individuals with HF. However, although the DOBI has been used in many studies to examine caregiving burden, published data are unavailable regarding the psychometric properties of the subjective component of the DOBI 10–13 . Furthermore, this analysis is unique in that participants in previous studies were mostly older women, whereas the current study had a diverse group of younger caregivers and an almost equal percentage of male and female participants.…”

“…However, although the DOBI has been used in many studies to examine caregiving burden, published data are unavailable regarding the psychometric properties of the subjective component of the DOBI. [10][11][12][13] Furthermore, this analysis is unique in that participants in previous studies were mostly older women, whereas the current study had a diverse group of younger caregivers and an almost equal percentage of male and female participants. The current analysis also included a large group of participants from the United States and other countries, which contributes to a better understanding of caregiving subjective burden in caregivers of patients with HF, globally.…”

“…This study builds upon a recent analysis in which we examined the psychometric properties of the DOBI objective component in caregivers of individuals with HF, with data supporting construct validity and reliability (ie, internal consistency) of both the original version (ie, 38 items) and a shortened version (ie, 24 items) of the instrument. 12 Because subjective burden is measured only when objective burden is present, it was appropriate to first evaluate item performance of the objective burden component, 10 then, in a separate analysis, to perform a factorial examination of the subjective burden component using the reduced items previously identified as important in the objective burden analysis. The objective of this investigation was to assess the psychometric properties (ie, construct validity and internal consistency) of the subjective component (now abbreviated, DSBI) of the DOBI, using both the 38-item and the shortened 24-item DOBI and a diverse population of caregivers of patients with HF from the United States and other countries.…”

Classifying Heart Failure Caregivers as Adequately or Inadequately Resourced to Care: A Latent Class Analysis

“…[9][10][11][12][13] Caregiver burden is also common in HF caregivers and encompasses both task frequency and the perceived associated burden. [14][15][16][17] Additionally, providing HF care in the home is accompanied by numerous life changes, including decreased time for family and social activities and difficulty coping with stress. 5,7,14,18 Further, research suggests a negative feedback loop, with more negative perceptions of life changes associated with higher levels of depression.…”