Psychometrics of the Pearlin Mastery Scale among Family Caregivers of Older Adults Who Require Assistance in Activities of Daily Living

This study examined the psychometric properties of the seven-item mastery scale among 392 family caregivers of care dependent older adults in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Item response theory (IRT) analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the scale’s psychometric properties. Construct validity was assessed based on correlations between mastery and caregiver burden, depression, and quality of life. Data from the seven-item mastery scale showed acceptable reliability and model fit while IRT analysis showed that response categories were ordered but reflected poor fit for the two positively worded items. Without these two items, responses on the five-item version showed acceptable model fit and had acceptable reliability and high correlation with those on the seven-item version. Item responses on both the seven- and five-item versions show logical correlations with carer self-report on burden, depression, and quality of life. Further psychometric studies of the seven-item mastery scale are warranted. For practical applications such as caregiver screening during hospital admissions, the five-item mastery scale is fit for purpose.