Validity and reliability of the Korean version of self-care of heart failure index

Abstract

Purpose: Self-care and associated decisions for therapeutic recommendations have been a focus of attention recently in Korea. The purpose of this study was to address the dimensionality and reliability of a Korean version of Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI v.6.2), a measure of self-care of patients with heart failure within a clinical context.

Methods: The study sample completed 120 surveys that consisted of demographic variables and the SCHFI v.6.2, which was created to measure self-care maintenance, self-care management, and self-care confidence in HF patients. Confirmatory factor analysis using Mplus verified a robust structural fit of the three dimensionality for each subscale.

Results: Self-care maintenance, CFI = .92, TLI = .88, SRMR = .06, RMSEA = .07; self-care management, CFI = .93, TLI = .78, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .24; self-care confidence, CFI = .95, TLI = .92, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .13. Multidimensionality yielded the self-care maintenance scale having 4-factor structures, while each self-care management and confidence scale had a unidimensionality. Reliability estimates using methods compatible with each scale’s dimensionality were adequate to high, ranging from .71 to .96.

Conclusions: Psychometric testing of the SCHFI demonstrates a sound model fit, with desirable reliability estimates given each scale dimensionality, using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and alternative options.