Psychometric properties of the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS)

Background: The European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS) was developed and tested to measure behaviours that heart failure patients perform to maintain daily life activities, healthy functioning, and wellbeing. Psychometrics validation of several language versions has been published. Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the psychometric properties of the scale. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were searched in November 2015. Papers examining the psychometric properties of the EHFScBS-12 and/or the EHFScBS-9 were included to analyse validity and reliability. Results: From total of 1357 potentially eligible abstracts screened 74 full-text papers were retrieved and reviewed and 13 studies were eventually included in the review. Nine of the included studies investigated the psychometric properties of the EHFScBS-12 and five of the EHFScBS-9.The results demonstrated satisfactory content, discriminantand convergent validity of the translated versions of both scales across the samples. Discriminant validity of the scale was confirmed through its low associations with measures of the quality of life, while its convergent validity was supported through its small/moderate associations with measures of adherence. Regarding the construct validity, the factorial structure of the scales was inconsistent, but the consulting behaviour factor was recognized in all of the studies. Most commonly used reliability estimates (e.g.Cronbach’s alpha) for the total scale were satisfactory. Conclusion(s): Published data demonstrate satisfactory psychometric properties of the EHFScBS, indicating that the scale is a reliable and valid tool for clinical practice.