Turkish
 
   
Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Knowledge Scale (BPSD-T): A Psychometric Evaluation Among Caregivers

Hasan Armağan UYSAL, Halil GÜLLÜOĞLU, Turan POYRAZ, Simay BAŞARAN, Levent VAR, Neslihan EŞKUT
2024 35(4): 295-305
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Objective:: This study aimed to validate the Turkish version of the Behavioral
and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Knowledge Scale (BPSD-T)
among caregivers. The goal was to assess the scale’s psychometric properties,
ensuring it accurately measures caregivers’ knowledge of dementia-related
behavioral and psychological symptoms in a Turkish context.
Methods:: In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected from
212 caregivers providing home-based care to dementia patients across
Turkey. Participants completed a 12-item Behavioral and Psychological
Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) knowledge questionnaire along with a
sociodemographic form. To examine the factor structure of the scale, both
exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)
were conducted. Sample adequacy for EFA was assessed using the Kaiser-
Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett’s test of sphericity. For CFA,
model fit was evaluated using fit indices such as χ2/df, Goodness of Fit Index
(GFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Normed Fit Index (NFI), and Root
Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). The internal consistency
of the scale was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.
Results:: The findings showed that the BPSD-T has strong internal
consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.85) and a robust factor structure. Factor
loadings ranged from 0.396 to 0.744, supporting the construct validity
of the scale. Item-total correlations ranged from 0.437 to 0.711, with
the item “BPSD are the major source of caregiving burden” having the
highest correlation (r=0.711). The results indicate that the BPSD-T is a
reliable instrument for assessing caregivers’ knowledge of behavioral and
psychological symptoms associated with dementia.
Conclusion:: The BPSD-T provides an effective means of identifying
knowledge gaps among caregivers in Turkey and serves as a valuable tool for
developing training programs aimed at improving the management of BPSD.
This study contributes to the literature by validating the scale in a non-Western
context, suggesting that enhancing caregivers’ knowledge of BPSD can have
positive impacts on clinical management and patient care. In this regard, the
implementation of the BPSD-T may support the more effective management
of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia patients.
Keywords: Behavioral Symptoms, Dementia, Caregivers, Psychometrics,
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia, Neuropsychiatric
symptoms, Alzheimer’s Disease