Family caregivers burden has been frequently reported in international researches using validated scales, but rarely in Brazil, perhaps due to the restrict availability of burden scales. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the validity of the Brazilian version of the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR). METHOD: A sample of 100 family caregivers of psychiatric patients attending three public outpatient services were interviewed with the application of three scales: FBIS-BR, BI and SRQ-20. Socio-demographic data were collected with a standardized form. RESULTS: Criterion validity of the FBIS-BR scale was investigated analyzing its correlation with the BI scale, which evaluates the same construct of family burden and the significant scores obtained varied between 0.23 e 0.69 (p<0.01). The construct validity of the FBIS-BR scale was evaluated analyzing its correlation with the SRQ-20 scale, which evaluates a different but related construct of psychological disturbance, and the significant scores obtained varied between 0.31 e 0.49. CONCLUSION: The FBIS-BR scale has good criterion and construct validity indicators to evaluate family burden of caregivers of psychiatric patients. This scale therefore can be used in mental health services, to evaluate the difficulties and needs presented by the family and to elaborated new support and orientation interventions.
Scale; family; burden of care; psychiatric patients; deinstitucionalization; scale validity
