Table 3 Test-retest reliability (n = 20) of the 4 items concerning Family Burden (ICC = Intraclass Correlation Coefficient; CI 95% = 95% Confidence Interval)
Item | ICC | 95% | CI | p < |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Overall, in the last four weeks, which practical problems has the family had as a consequence of P's condition (e.g. limitations in amount or quality of work, need to work more to cover expenses, limitations in holidays or week-ends, difficulty in pursuing one's hobbies or interests, being compelled to neglect other family members, difficulty in receiving visits from friends at home)? | . 73 | .45 | .88 | .001 |
2. In the last four weeks, how often have you felt upset (e.g. depressed or anxious or very tense, nervous or sleeping badly) as a consequence of P's conditions? | .77 | .51 | .90 | .001 |
3. In the last four weeks how often some other family member has felt upset (e.g. depressed or anxious or very tense, nervous, sleeping badly) as a consequence of P's condition? | .84 | .62 | .24 | .001 |
4. Do you think that your and P's situations may improve (do you have hope for the future?) | .87 | .71 | .94 | .001 |
- The first question has the following answer scale:
none or almost none; 
mild; 
manifest for everyone, not yet distressing; 
distressing, not yet severe; 
severe, not continuous; 
severe and continuous. - The second and third questions have the following answer scale: never; rarely; sometimes; more or less half of the time; most of the time; always
- The fourth question has the following answer scale: not at all; little; moderately; = fairly; much; very much
none or almost none; 
mild; 
manifest for everyone, not yet distressing; 
distressing, not yet severe; 
severe, not continuous; 
severe and continuous.