Psychometric Evaluation of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index Version 7.2.

Background: The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) is a widely used instrument used to measure self-care in both research and clinical settings. The lack of a psychometric evaluation of the traditional Chinese version of the SCHFI (SCHFI-C) might limit its utilization in non-Mainland Chinese populations such as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SCHFI-C v.7.2.

Methods: Participants included 365 adults with heart failure. Breslin's method of translation was used to translate the SCHFI v.7.2 into traditional Chinese. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the dimensionality structure of each scale. Then, composite reliability was calculated to assess the reliability of 3 scales. Construct validity was examined by hypothesis testing and known-group comparisons.

Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis suggest its multidimensionality of each scale. More specifically, the findings indicated a unique internal structure of the self-care maintenance ("lifestyle-related behaviors" and "consulting behaviors") and self-care management ("self-reliance behaviors" and "help-seeking behaviors") scales. The composite reliability of 3 scales were 0.81, 0.88, and 0.82, respectively, reaching adequate level. As for construct validity, the significant associations between the 3 SCHFI domains and self-care confidence as well as significant group difference among patients of different ages and educational backgrounds supported good construct validity.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the reliability and validity of the SCHFI-C v.7.2. The traditional SCHFI-C v.7.2 can serve as a valid and reliable outcome measure to evaluate the effects of self-care-promoting interventions.