CONTENT VALIDITY OF THE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SCALE IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF CHRONIC PATIENTS IN COLOMBIA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the face and content validity of the Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS in family
caregivers of people with chronic non-communicable diseases in Colombia. Materials and Methods:
Psychometric study. To determine the content validity, 9 expert judges in the clinical or research field were
invited. Clarity, redundancy and relevance of the items were assessed using the Lawshe index modified
by Tristán. Face validity was established by a cognitive interview with 30 family caregivers of people
with chronic diseases. Results: For content validity, 13 of 14 items on the Anxiety and Depression Scale
HADS presented an adjusted content validity ratio (CVR) greater than 0.7. Item 2 showed a CVR of 0.5,
which required analysis and semantic adjustment by the validation committee. In terms of face validity,
it was found that for all items, 87% or more of the participants reported adequate understanding, recall,
judgment, and appropriateness of the items. The semantics of items 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, and 14 were adjusted.
Conclusions: The Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS has adequate psychometric properties of content
and face validity for use in caregivers of people with chronic illness in the Colombian context.