Validation of the Chinese Version Community’s Self-Efficacy Scale in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND: The original study confirmed that the Japanese version of the community’s self-efficacy scale (CSES) may help to promote health policies, practices and interventions in the community. In China, research on the self-efficacy of community’s life is in its infancy. The aim of this study was to assess the validity, the reliability and the predictors of the Chinese version CSES in the aging population. METHODS: (1) Translation of the original Japanese version CSES into Chinese; (2) validation of the Chinese version in the aging population. Instrument measurement included reliability testing, item generation, construct validity and test–retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to determine construct validity and internal consistency. Meanwhile, we built the Bayesian network model of the Chinese version of CSES and determined target variables. RESULTS: Finally, 143 sample individuals have been included in this research. By confirmatory factor analysis, we confirmed that the Chinese version CSES fits a two-dimensional model. Additionally, this scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient 0.900) and test–retest reliability (kappa coefficient 0.754). The results of the Bayesian network model showed that the education (0.3278) and the perceived efficacy patient–physician interactions scale (0.2055) are important predictors of the CSES. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to validate the Chinese version of CSES in older people. Our research confirmed that the Chinese version CSES has good internal consistency, construct validity and test–retest reliability. Meanwhile, patient's confidence in communication with a physician and the patient's educational level were the important predictors of community self-efficacy.