Language Validation and Cultural Adaptation of the Italian Version of the Family Caregiver Quality of Life Scale

Abstract

Background: Heart failure significantly impacts healthcare systems and society, affecting quality of life (QoL) due to its symptoms and continuous care needs. Nurses are crucial in managing heart failure, supporting both patients and caregivers who face physical, emotional, social, and spiritual challenges. The Family Caregiver Quality of Life (FAMQOL) scale evaluates caregivers’ QoL across all dimensions. This study aims to translate and culturally adapt the FAMQOL from English to Italian, enhancing its utility in nursing research and practice to better identify and support caregiver well-being. Methods: Following EORTC guidelines (2017), the FAMQOL underwent linguistic validation and cultural adaptation. This included independent forward translations from English to Italian, back translations, and reconciliation discussions to produce a testable translation. A pilot test with 15 caregivers assessed the questionnaire’s acceptability and comprehensibility. Results: Linguistic adjustments ensured the questionnaire’s understandability in Italian. Interviews confirmed its acceptability and comprehensibility, with minor modifications enhancing clarity. Conclusions: The translation process successfully adapted the FAMQOL for Italian caregivers. This tool is essential for nursing research and practice, providing a culturally relevant assessment of the burden of care. It allows targeted interventions to support health workers, intercepting the QoL of caregivers early and, consequently, the well-being of patients with heart failure.

Keywords

• heart failure
• quality of life
• caregiver
• linguistic validation
• nursing assessment scale