Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Development and validation of a scale to measure caregiver skills in eating disorders

Hibbs, Rebecca, Rhind, Charlotte, Salerno, Laura, Lo Coco, Gianluca, Goddard, Elizabeth, Schmidt, Ulrike, Micali, Nadia, Gowers, Simon, Beecham, Jennifer, Macdonald, Pamela, and others. (2015) Development and validation of a scale to measure caregiver skills in eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 48 (3). pp. 290-297. ISSN 0276-3478. (doi:10.1002/eat.22362) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:57229)

PDF Publisher pdf
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only
[thumbnail of 4865.pdf]
Official URL:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eat.223...

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new questionnaire designed to measure caregiver skills that, in line with the interpersonal component of the cognitive interpersonal maintenance model (Schmidt and Treasure, J Br J Clin Psychol, 45, 343–366, 2006), may be helpful in the support of people with anorexia nervosa (AN). A further aim is to assess whether this scale is sensitive to change following skills-based caregiver interventions.

Method

The Caregiver Skills (CASK) scale was developed by a group of clinicians and caregivers. Preliminary versions of the scale devised for both caregivers and parents were given at baseline and at follow-up after two studies of caregiver interventions (a clinical trial of the effectiveness of guided self-help and training workshops). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used to test the factorial structure of the CASK scale. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency of the CASK scales.

Results

Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a six component solution (Bigger Picture, Self-Care, Biting-Your-Tongue, Insight and Acceptance, Emotional Intelligence and Frustration Tolerance) and this model was confirmed with CFA. Significant clinically relevant correlations were found between the CASK scales and other standardised measures of caregivers' attitudes and behaviours. Furthermore, greater improvements on abilities measured by the CASK scale were found in caregivers who received skills-training than caregivers assigned to a ‘treatment as usual' condition.

Discussion

The CASK scale is a measure of the fidelity of interventions based on the cognitive interpersonal maintenance model and is sensitive to the intensity of the intervention provided.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/eat.22362
Uncontrolled keywords: caregiver; eating disorders; exploratory factor analysis; anorexia nervosa
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Jane Dennett
Date Deposited: 12 Sep 2016 12:54 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 11:01 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57229 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.