Psychometric Properties of Schwartz Center Compassionate Care Scale with Iranian Patients

Despite patients’ and caregivers’ approval of the importance of compassionate care, without proper measurement, we cannot know the level of compassion or the effectiveness of interventions. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Schwartz for Compassionate Care scale.

The scale was translated using the back and forward technique. The construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was examined by Pearson’s correlations between this scale and the patient satisfaction with nursing care quality questionnaire. The reliability was assessed using test-retest and internal consistency methods.

The results of the confirmatory factor analysis reported almost adequate values for all fit indices (χ2/df = 2/85, RMSEA= 0/07, CFI= 0/88, GFI=0/92, AGFI=0/88 TLI=0/90) and concurrent validity was high. Cronbach’s alpha was reported as 0.95 and the results of the test-retest in checking the time stability of the scale were reported as 0.78. 

It can be concluded that Schwartz’s Compassionate Care scale had almost acceptable validity and reliability for Iranian nurses’ caring behavior. Therefore, the Persian version of this scale should be used with caution in Iran.