Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Surrogate Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale

Abstract

Surrogate decision making for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) can have negative physical and emotional health consequences for the decision-maker. Improving confidence and self-efficacy may reduce these consequences, but a valid instrument is necessary for reliable measurement. Using a cross-sectional design, the current study aimed to translate the Surrogate Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (SDM-SES) into Chinese and evaluate its psychometric properties for surrogate decision-makers (SDMs) of patients in the ICU. The English version of the SDM-SES was translated into Chinese according to Brislin's translation guidelines and tested in 107 Chinese SDMs of patients in the ICU. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.86, and a confirmatory factor analysis yielded acceptably high goodness-of-fit. Scores of the Chinese version of the SDM-SES were positively correlated with General Self-Efficacy Scale scores and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale scores. This study indicates that the Chinese version of the SDM-SES has sufficient psychometric properties for assessing self-efficacy of SDMs for patients in the ICU. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(1), 17-23.].