Abstract
Background: "Normalization" refers to the process whereby a household with a chronically ill member returns to a normal life to reduce its distress. There has been no valid and reliable instrument to investigate such normalization in Taiwan.
Objective: The aims of this study were to develop and validate a Chinese version of the Normalization Assessment Measure for Caregivers of Children With Cancer (NAM-CCC).
Methods: Translation and revision of the Normalization Assessment Measure into Chinese. Psychometric testing was conducted on 241 caregivers of children with cancer who were treated at a medical center in northern Taiwan.
Results: The Cronbach's [alpha] of the NAM-CCC (Chinese version) was .93. The construct validity was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, and 1 factor was extracted. The known group validity indicated that the rate of normalization is higher in the follow-up stage than in the treatment stage (P < .00). The criterion-related validity of the Taiwan version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment is 0.475 (P < .01). The content validity is 0.88 to 0.99.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the NAM-CCC possesses good reliability and validity when administered to caregivers of children with cancer in Taiwan.
Implications for Practice: The instrument can be used to measure normalization in the caregivers of children with cancer. In addition, it will help us understand what support these individuals require to construct normal lives.