Evidence of Internal Validity of the Social Skills Inventory for Caregivers (SSI-CE) in Brazil

Authors

  • Francine Náthalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz
    Department of Psychology, Adventist University of São Paulo, Hortolândia, Brazil
  • Ligia de Santis
    Postgraduation Program in Psychology, São Francisco University, Campinas, Brazil
  • Valeria Estefanía Moran
    Department of Social and Human Sciences, Siglo 21 University, Cordoba, Argentina
  • Pedro Afonso Cortez
    Postgraduate Program in Forensic Psychology, School of Life Sciences and Tuiuti University of Paraná (UTP), Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
  • Acácia Aparecida Angeli dos Santos
    Postgraduation Program in Psychology, São Francisco University, Campinas, Brazil

Abstract

With population aging, it is important to develop studies on psychological skills that can facilitate the task of caregivers of a dependent older adult. The Social Skills Inventory for Caregivers of the Elderly (SSI-CE) is an assessment tool for this purpose. Even considering that the instrument already has evidence of validity, the aim of this study is to seek additional evidence of validity for the SSI-CE. To this end, 533 family caregivers of older adults with an average age of 49.7 years were investigated by responding to the following instruments: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Brazil Economic Classification Criteria, and SSI-CE. Initially, two factor models for the SSI-CE were compared (second-order and bifactor models). Then, analyses were performed for measurement invariance and sample heterogeneity of the SSI-CE in relation to the variables age, gender, presence of dementia in the elderly care receiver, and type of data collection (online or in-person). Finally, the instrument's reliability values were checked. After comparing the models, the second-order model was the most appropriate, as it displayed reliability values ranging from ω = 0.66 to ω = 0.89. In invariance analysis, variability was found for sample heterogeneity in the variables gender, presence of dementia, and type of data collection. In conclusion, the calculation of a global score for the SSI-CE is pertinent, with good evidence of internal validity. However, specific rules should be established, considering different sample characteristics.