Psychometric Properties of the Iranian Version of Resources and Support for Chronic Illness Self-management Scale in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: This article is a report of psychometric testing of the Farsi version of Resources and Support for Chronic Illness Self-management (RSSM) scale. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 160 patients with type 2 diabetes, registered with the Charity Foundation for Special Diseases’ team-focused diabetes clinic, were recruited (response rate=83.7%; n=134). Participants older than 18 years who had active medical files in the system completed the questionnaire. Content validity was established using translation and back-translation procedures, pilot testing of the instrument, and getting views of the expert panel. Construct validity was determined using explanatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha. The stability was confirmed using intra-class correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Using exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor model emerged, which explained 75.24% of the total variance. Internal consistency reliability was sufficient (α=0.70; range=0.66 – 0.87). The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.74 – 0.81 for individual items. CONCLUSION: The RSSM-Farsi seems to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure outcomes of diabetes self-management education programs in Farsi. The RSSM-Farsi version scale could be a useful, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive scale for assessing resources and support for self-management between type 2 diabetic patients.