Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to develop the children with cerebral palsy (7-18 years old) self-care skills scale-parent form and assess its validity and reliability. DESIGN: The sample of this methodological study consisted of 317 parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 7-18 years who were trained in special education and rehabilitation centres. METHODS: The data were collected using the Child-Parent Information Form and the Children with Cerebral Palsy (7-18 Years Old) Self-Care Skills Scale-Parent Form (CCPSCSS-PF). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test, Bartlett's test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the overall scale and its two subscales were 0.971, 0.984, and 0.913 and the test-retest reliability coefficient of the overall scale was 0.976. The KMO sample fit coefficient of the scale was 0.948, and Bartlett's test of sphericity χ(2) value was 8472.344 (p < 0.001). According to the EFA results, the scale items were grouped under two factors. The factor loadings of the CCPSCSS-PF ranged from 0.767 to 0.951 for Factor 1 (self-care) and 0.811 to 0.950 for Factor 2 (ability to express self-care). The scale accounted for 83.4% of the total variance. The fit indices calculated in CFA were 1.000 for GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and IFI; 0.097 for RMSEA; and 2.489 for CHISQ/Df. CONCLUSION: The CCPSCSS-PF is a valid and reliable assessment tool that can be used to evaluate the self-care skills of children with CP aged 7-18 years. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The CCPSCSS-PF can be used in preventive and rehabilitative studies by professionals caring for children with CP.