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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers experience immense burden and stress while supporting their loved ones with AD. Those who successfully manage the negative stressors related to AD caregiving are often highly resilient. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Support Scale (SSS) among a sample of 691 AD caregivers in the southern United States. The AD caregiver population is relevant to this measure given their traditional, frequent use of spirituality as a coping resource. Data was collected by self-reported questionnaires. The psychometric strength of SSS was examined by analyzing factor structure and evaluating its reliability and validity. Results showed that a single factor was identified on which all items of the scale loaded. The SSS showed strong reliability and evidence of construct validity. Results from this study confirmed the strong psychometric properties of the SSS reported in the original study. The SSS appears to be a viable measure in assessing the extent of spiritual support in the lives of social work clientele.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation's Faculty Scholars in Geriatric Social Work Program, administered by the Gerontological Society of America.