Scale-Description

The Perceived Family Burden Scale (PFBS-21) is an assessment tool used to measure the perceived burden felt by family members when caring for a relative with a chronic illness or mental disorder. It consists of 21 items that assess various dimensions of burden, such as emotional, financial, social, and physical burden. This scale helps in understanding the extent to which family members feel overwhelmed and how caregiving impacts their quality of life.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data analysis from the PFBS-21 involves scoring the responses to the 21 items, typically on a Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (a lot). The data are analyzed to produce a total score that represents the overall perceived burden experienced by the family.
The scale can be used in research settings to study the relationship between family burden and other factors, such as mental health, social support, and financial status. It can also be used clinically to identify the need for caregiver support and to develop interventions that reduce family burden.

Purpose

The objective of the PFBS-21 is to provide a reliable and valid method for assessing the burden felt by families when caring for a patient with a chronic illness or mental disorder. The scale aims to help clinicians and researchers understand the impact of caregiving on the family and to identify areas where more support is needed.

Calibration

Calibration of the PFBS-21 involves the process of validating the scale through studies that assess its reliability and validity. These studies include analyzing the internal consistency of the scale (e.g., using Cronbach’s alpha), evaluating structural validity through factor analysis, and examining criterion validity by comparing it with other related scales.
Calibration may also include analyses that assess the scale’s sensitivity in detecting changes in family burden following interventions or over time.

References

Reinhard, S. C., & Horwitz, A. V. (1995). The Perceived Family Burden Scale: Development, validation, and implications for intervention. Journal of Community Psychology, 23(1), 85-96.
Szmukler, G. I., Burgess, P., & Herrman, H. (1996). Assessing family burden: A critical review of the perceived family burden scale. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 31(3-4), 103-111.
Weiss, M. G., & Sharma, S. D. (2001). The impact of caregiving on families: Use of the Perceived Family Burden Scale in diverse cultural contexts. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 47(2), 31-42.