The Caregivers Quality of Life Cancer-Index (CQOL-C) in Spain: An Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis for Caregivers of Ambulatory and Hospitalized Patients With Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The Caregivers Quality of Life Index- Cancer (CQOLC) is used worldwide to measure quality of life of caregivers of cancer patients, but is still not translated and validated in most countries, including Spain. Previous studies show different underlying structure across countries. This study proposes to translate, adapt, study, psychometric properties of a Spanish version, CQOLC-S.

Methods: The CQOLC-S was translated-retro-translated, then administered to 289 primary caregivers of patients with all types of solid cancer, in all phases of the disease, in a Spanish hospital. The scale was analyzed via EFA and CFA. Other useful demographics for further studies were also collected for future subgroups comparisons.

Results: Five factor analysis and a confirmatory analysis were conducted, revealing a 6-factors structure. Three factors were present in the original CQOLC scale, three new factors appear: F3-NEGATIVE EMOTIONS (distinct from BURDEN) and two factors labelled F5-CONNECTEDNESS and F6-AFFECT-SPIRITUALITY. Reliability is acceptable (alpha=0.796).

Conclusions: Methodological contributions are discussed. CQOLC-S shows a structure distinct from US, Asian and other European scales, justifying studies process in each country. We provide an instrument validated in Spain which could now be tested in Latin-American and Spanish-speaking North-American populations. Cross-cultural differences are discussed, demonstrating the need for more research.

Keywords: caregivers, cancer, quality of life, CQOLC, validation studies, Spain

JEL Classification: I12