Basilie Chevrier1, Géraldine Dorard2, Eléonore Jarrige2, Stephen Joseph3, Saul Becker4, Agnes Leu5,6, Aurélie Untas2. 1. Aix-Marseille Univ, PSYCLE, Aix-en-Provence, France. 2. Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université de Paris, Boulogne-Billancour, France. 3. School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. 4. Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. 5. Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zürich, Switzerland. 6. Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young carers (YC) and young adult carers (YAC) have become of interest in research and practice. The 18-item Multidimensional Assessment of Caring Activities for Young Carers (MACA-YC18) was developed for identifying the extent and nature of caring activities across six domains: domestic chores, household management, financial/practical help, personal care, emotional care, and sibling care. The aim of this research was to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version of the MACA-YC18. METHODS: Two quantitative studies were conducted in a general population among adolescents and young adults. The sample was composed of 2688 adolescents (Mage = 16.08; SDage = 0.98; 60.60% girls) in Study 1 and 1192 young adults (Mage = 20.52; SDage = 1.89; 78.27% girls) in Study 2. The psychometric properties were examined via construct validity through internal consistencies, confirmatory factorial analysis, and invariance measurement regarding: gender (girls vs. boys), having a sick/disabled relative (having vs. not), relative's type of illness/disability (physical illness vs. mental illness vs. other illnesses/disabilities), providing support to a sick/disabled relative (providing vs. not), and living arrangement (with family vs. not). RESULTS: In both studies, internal consistencies were in line with those reported in the literature, the 6-factor structure was confirmed, and strict invariances were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the French version of the MACA-YC18 has good psychometric properties regarding construct validity not only among adolescents but also among young adults. This instrument appears to be a relevant screening tool for identifying and characterizing young carers in the general population.
BACKGROUND: Young carers (YC) and young adult carers (YAC) have become of interest in research and practice. The 18-item Multidimensional Assessment of Caring Activities for Young Carers (MACA-YC18) was developed for identifying the extent and nature of caring activities across six domains: domestic chores, household management, financial/practical help, personal care, emotional care, and sibling care. The aim of this research was to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version of the MACA-YC18. METHODS: Two quantitative studies were conducted in a general population among adolescents and young adults. The sample was composed of 2688 adolescents (Mage = 16.08; SDage = 0.98; 60.60% girls) in Study 1 and 1192 young adults (Mage = 20.52; SDage = 1.89; 78.27% girls) in Study 2. The psychometric properties were examined via construct validity through internal consistencies, confirmatory factorial analysis, and invariance measurement regarding: gender (girls vs. boys), having a sick/disabled relative (having vs. not), relative's type of illness/disability (physical illness vs. mental illness vs. other illnesses/disabilities), providing support to a sick/disabled relative (providing vs. not), and living arrangement (with family vs. not). RESULTS: In both studies, internal consistencies were in line with those reported in the literature, the 6-factor structure was confirmed, and strict invariances were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the French version of the MACA-YC18 has good psychometric properties regarding construct validity not only among adolescents but also among young adults. This instrument appears to be a relevant screening tool for identifying and characterizing young carers in the general population.
Authors: Jade Pilato; Géraldine Dorard; Basilie Chevrier; Agnes Leu; Aurélie Untas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-27 Impact factor: 4.614