ABSTRACT
Valid translations of time use scales are needed by occupational therapists for use in different cross-cultural contexts to gather relevant data to inform practice and research. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of translating, adapting, and validating the Time Use Diary from its current English language edition into a Malay language version. Five steps of the cross-cultural adaptation process were completed: (i) translation from English into the Malay language by a qualified translator, (ii) synthesis of the translated Malay version, (iii) backtranslation from Malay to English by three bilingual speakers, (iv) expert committee review and discussion, and (v) pilot testing of the Malay language version with two participant groups. The translated version was found to be a reliable and valid tool identifying changes and potential challenges in the time use of older adults. This provides Malaysian occupational therapists with a useful tool for gathering time use data in practice settings and for research purposes.
Acknowledgments
Universiti Putra Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. This study was approved by Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC), Economic Planning Unit Malaysia and Department of Social Welfare Malaysia. The authors also wish to extend their thanks to all the participants who volunteered to take part in the study. Their views and input were invaluable.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
About the Authors
Siti Noraini Asmuri, MPhil, BOccTher(Hons), Lecturer, Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. Ted Brown, PhD, MSc MPA, BScOT (Hons), GCHPE, OT(C), OTR, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University – Peninsula Campus, Victoria, Australia. Lisa J. Broom, BOccTher (Hons), Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University – Peninsula Campus, Victoria, Australia.