Psychometric Testing of the Mutuality Scale in Patients and Caregiver Dyads After the Onset of Coronary Heart Disease.
Barbara Bassola, Silvia Cilluffo, Tatiana Bolgeo and 7 others
PMID 39921614WHAT IT FOUND
The Mutuality Scale reliably measures the patient-caregiver bond in new coronary heart disease cases.
Higher mutuality scores linked to better patient self-care and caregiver preparedness, but not to lower anxiety or depression. Use the total score, as one subscale was unreliable.
Key findings
01The Mutuality Scale showed adequate structural validity and reliability for both patients and caregivers, supporting the use of a total score.
02Higher mutuality scores were significantly correlated with better patient self-care behaviors and greater caregiver preparedness.
03Mutuality scores did not correlate significantly with anxiety or depression in either patients or caregivers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was recruited in Italy only, so results may not apply to other cultures. The study used a convenience sample with uneven sex distributions (mostly male patients, mostly female caregivers). Data were collected at a single point in time, so the stability of the scale over time is unknown. The 'shared values' subscale had only two items and poor internal consistency in patients, limiting its usefulness as a standalone measure.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that improving the patient-caregiver relationship will reduce anxiety or depression. This study found no significant link between mutuality scores and mental health outcomes, even though it did find links to self-care and preparedness.