Validation of the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE) in the German Population

Abstract Background and Objectives Informal caregivers of people with dementia are susceptible to significant caregiver burden. Strengthening self-efficacy may alleviate burden by improving caregivers’ ability to persist in the face of challenging situations. To provide a relevant assessment tool, this study aimed to translate the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE) into German and evaluate its psychometric properties. Research Design and Methods Cross-sectional data with a test-retest subsample were collected online from June 2024 to March 2025. Reliability was assessed via internal consistency, item analysis, and test-retest reliability. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate structural validity. To assess construct and convergent validity, we included the following scales: Confidence in Dementia Care Scale, Benefits of Being a Caregiver Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results The convenience sample consisted of 127 individuals, with 60 taking part in the retest after four weeks. The subscales in this sample demonstrate high internal consistency (α/ω = .92/.94) and moderate to good retest reliability. The CFA demonstrated a good model fit (χ2(85) = 132.599, p < .001, CFI = .971, TLI = .965, RMSEA = .067 (90% CI: 0.044, 0.088), SRMR = .057), with good-excellent factor loadings (.66 – .97). All included scales, except the DKAS, show significant correlations, supporting the validity of the RSCSE. Discussion and Implications These results support the use of the RSCSE within the German population to assess the self-efficacy of caregivers of people living with dementia.