Objectives: This study developed the Japanese version of the Valued Living Questionnaire Adapted to dementia Caregiving (J-VLQAC) and assessed its reliability and validity.
Methods: A 2-wave longitudinal survey with an interval of two weeks was conducted with Japanese dementia family caregivers (n = 521 at T1; n = 424 at T2).
Results: Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a poor fit to our data for the original 2-factor model. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a new 3-factor model (i.e., Own Values, Family Values, and Health Values). Both models showed similar good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability. Significant correlations between the J-VLQAC and the Valuing Questionnaire (VQ) and measures assessing related constructs (e.g., cognitive fusion) supported good criterion validity and acceptable level of construct validity for both models. Compared to the original 2-factor model, the new 3-factor model showed higher incremental validity, which was assessed through the hierarchical regression analysis examining whether the J-VLQAC predicts depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction over and above the VQ.
Conclusions: The J-VLQAC has good reliability and acceptable validity.
Clinical implications: The information gathered from the J-VLQAC can be used to tailor psychological support and help caregivers engage in activities that reflect their personal values.
Keywords: Valued living questionnaire adapted to dementia caregiving; acceptance and commitment therapy; family caregivers; reliability; validity.