Initial examination of the psychometric properties of the short Hebrew version of the Zarit Burden Interview.

OBJECTIVES: Given the sharp increase in individuals with cognitive and physical impairments, the evaluation of burden has become common in both caregiving research and clinical practice. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is the first and one of the most commonly used measures of caregiver burden. This study examines the psychometric properties and factor structure of a Hebrew version of Bedard et al.'s [Bedard, M., Molloy, D.W., Squire, L., Dubois, S., Lever, J.A., & O'Donnell, M. (2001). The Zarit Burden Interview: A new short version and screening version. The Gerontologist, 41, 652-657] short ZBI scale (ZBI-HS).

METHODS: A total of 148 primary caregivers of individuals with cognitive and/or physical impairments completed the ZBI-HS. The factor structure of the ZBI-HS was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and concurrent validity was examined.

RESULTS: The EFA supported the two-factor structure as reported by Bedard et al. (2001). Concurrent validity was supported by the ZBI-HS negative association with caregivers' well-being and positive association with caregivers' distress over behavioral problems of care-recipients.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the short version of the ZBI-HS can be used as an effective tool for measuring caregiving burden.