Transcultural adaptation and translation process of the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) – for use in Malaysian caregivers of individuals with mental illness

Background: Most instruments intended to measure caregiver burden were developed in English-speaking countries, and findings from previous studies conducted in Malaysia suggested that there was lack of reliability and validity... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Most instruments intended to measure caregiver burden were developed in English-speaking countries, and findings from previous studies conducted in Malaysia suggested that there was lack of reliability and validity in the translated version of the instrument.
Aims and objective : The aims of this study were to generate a valid translation of the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) for cross-cultural use and to measure caregiver burden among caregivers of individuals with mental illness.
Methods: Prior to data collection, the CBI was translated into Malay language using a guideline proposed by Beaton (2000). There are five stages of questionnaire translation, namely; translation, synthesis, back translation, review by expert committee and pre-testing. A quantitative, cross sectional design was conducted to measure caregiver burden and to explore the relationship between caregiver burden and socio-demographic backgrounds of caregivers (n=201). Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to caregivers who accompanied patients with mental illness for their clinic appointment in two public hospitals in Malaysia. Reliability and validity of the translated CBI were tested and descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted to identify levels of caregiver burden and its relationship with caregivers’ socio-demographic variables.
Results: The Cronbach’s alpha value of the Malay version of the CBI was 0.94, suggested a high level of internal consistency reliability. Results suggested that greater burden was experienced by women (M=33.1,SD=20.8) and age of the caregivers was positively correlated with caregiver burden (r=0.19,p=0.007). The other socio-demographic variables that were significantly associated with caregiver burden included ethnicity, educational level, employment status and caregivers’ health status (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Malay version of the CBI proved to be good in term of application, internal consistency and validity and is recommended to be used to measure caregiver burden in the Malay speaking population.