The child and adolescent burden assessment (CABA): Measuring the family impact of emotional and behavioral problems

Background: Though adult psychiatric disorders have been found to be substantial sources of burden for family caretakers, little attention has been paid to the measurement of burden resulting from children's psychiatric disturbance, or to its measurement. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development and characteristics of such a measure, the Child and Adolescent Burden Assessment (CABA). Methods: The psychometric properties of the CABA were examined in both general population and clinical samples. Psychometric properties assessed included factor composition, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion-related validity. Results: Factor analyses demonstrated a robust general 'burden' construct in both the community and clinical samples. Internal consistency reliability estimates were high (coefficient a> .80). Test-retest stability over a one-week period was adequate (ICC = 0.67) in a small clinical sample. Criterion-related validity was supported in comparisons of mean burden levels between community and clinical samples. Conclusions: The CABA appears to be a promising instrument for the measurement of family burden associated with childhood psychiatric disorders. Psychometrically, the CABA performs adequately. Theoretically, the burden construct may prove useful in models of service use, mental health outcomes, and the progress of family adaptation. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Duke Scholars

Author Adrian Christopher Angold Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychia ...

Author Elizabeth Jane Costello Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychia ...