Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) in informal primary caregivers of cancer patients: psychometric properties

Abstract

Introduction: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are some of the major mental health problems in caregivers affecting quality of life. Valid and reliable screening instruments such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) has made possible the detection of possible cases of depression and anxiety. However, the psychometric properties of this instrument have not been documented in caregivers in the Mexican population.

Objetives: Determine the psychometric properties of the HADS in a sample of caregivers in the Mexican population.

Materials and Methods: 200 caregivers from the National Cancer Institute participated, of which 65.5% were women and 34.5% men, with a mean age of 47.4 ± 14.1 years. Participants completed concurrently the HADS and Zarit Burden Interview.

Results: A factor analysis to two factors explained 42.05% of the variance with 14 items on two factors. The internal consistency of the overall scale was satisfactory (α=0.83). Cronbach’s alphas for each subscale were .78 and .82. The concurrent validity assessed by way of correlations with concurrent measures showed significant associations (Pearson r=0.41-0.64, p<0.05).

Conclusions: The HADS has adequate cons­truct validity, internal consistency and concu­rrent validity for use in caregivers of cancer patients from the Mexican population. The relevance of the results is that this is a popu­lation that can require mental health care in stages of care for patients with cancer.