Psychometric properties of the Hebrew version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale short version.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Hebrew version of the Zarit Burden Interview (H-ZBI) short version.

Method: Cross-sectional research methodology was used to measure the caregiver burden felt by informal family caregivers of cognitively intact but physically frail older family members. Data of this study were drawn from two convenience samples that included altogether 456 dyads of family caregivers and care recipients in Israel. Caregivers included adult children, spouses, and other relatives of the care recipients.

Results: The H-ZBI short version demonstrated good psychometric properties similar to those of the English version. Internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha was high (α = 0.85) and the measure showed good convergent and exploratory validity due to significant correlations with Caregiving Burden Scale, caregivers' quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life, WHOQOL-Brief), perceived health and economic statuses, as well as with health and functional statuses of care recipients. Factor analysis showed two loading factors.

Conclusions: The scale can be a useful screening instrument for professionals working with family caregivers to assess the degree of burden felt by family caregivers who provide long-term care for physically frail older adults. The scale also provides indications of the need for professional intervention when burden is great and negatively affects the caregivers' quality of life.