TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION OF POSITIVE MEANING IN CAREGIVING SCALE IN URDU LANGUAGE FOR MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents ongoing emotional and practical challenges for primary caregivers, especially mothers. While much focus has been placed on caregiver burden, recent research emphasizes the importance of assessing positive caregiving experiences such as personal growth, emotional resilience, and meaning in life. The Positive Meaning of Caregiving Scale (PMCGS) is a reliable instrument in Western contexts, yet a culturally adapted Urdu version has been lacking in Pakistan. Addressing this gap is crucial for inclusive mental health assessment and support. Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Positive Meaning of Caregiving Scale in Urdu for use among mothers of children with ASD in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 300 married mothers of children diagnosed with ASD within the past 12 months. The translation process followed the MAPI Institute’s linguistic validation guidelines, including forward and backward translation, pilot testing, and expert review. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cross-language validation was conducted using Pearson product-moment correlation between English and Urdu versions. Results: The Urdu version demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.97). The mean score was 32.40 (SD = 11.57), with scores ranging from 11 to 55. CFA indicated a strong model fit (CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.973, NFI = 0.969), although RMSEA was 0.083. All items showed significant positive inter-item correlations, and cross-language correlations ranged from 0.12 to 0.83 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), indicating robust cross-linguistic reliability. Conclusion: The Urdu-translated PMCGS is a psychometrically sound and culturally appropriate tool for measuring positive caregiving experiences among Urdu-speaking mothers of children with ASD, offering valuable implications for clinical practice and research in Pakistan.