Developing and testing the psychometric properties of a short-form questionnaire regarding the psychosocial condition after a cardiac event

Abstract

Psychosocial difficulties in patients after a cardiac event is well-known concept yet no systematic or routine assessment with focus on their psychosocial condition with regard to coping, social support and sense of coherence is established. Accordingly the aim of this pilot study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a short-form questionnaire regarding patients’ psychosocial condition after a cardiac event to be used in every day clinical practice. This pilot study, which had a methodological design, used selected sample of 30 participants to answer a questionnaire built on 37 items in order to determine face, content and construct validity and homogeneity reliability. Five factors built on 18 items emerged, all with good values for the psychometric tests chosen, and labelled according to their theoretical belongings: closeness, belongingness, availability, concordance and outlook. This short-form questionnaire measuring the psychosocial condition after a cardiac event useful in every day clinical practice seems appropriate but needs further psychometric development carried out in large scale studies with regard to cultural-socio-demographics and diagnoses