Table 1 Outcome measures

Revised Scale for Caregiving Self- Efficacy [46].

Three domains of caregiving self-efficacy: controlling upsetting thoughts associated with caring; responding more effectively to disruptive behaviours; and seeking help in the caring role.

Scoring is on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 (cannot do at all) in increments of 10 through to 100 (certain can do) with higher scores are indicative of greater self-efficacy. Cronbach alphas for all subscales of >0.82–0.85 have been reported.

Caregiving Hassles Scale (modified) [47].

Five subscales: hassles associated with assisting care recipient’s activities of living (ADL) (9 items) and instrumental ADLs (7 items); care recipient’s cognitive status (9 items) and behaviour (12 items); and social network limitations (5 items).

Carers indicate which of the five subscale items occurring during the past week were appraised as a hassle (0 = No, 1 = Yes). Cronbach’s alpha is 0.91 for the full scale and 0.75–0.89 for the subscales, and test-retest reliability is 0.83 for the full scale and 0.66–0.87 for the subscales.

The Short-Form Heath Survey (SF-12) [48, 49].

Eight generic health domains: physical functioning, role general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems and limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, mental health, a single-item measure of comparative health.

Scored on Likert scales (1 = Yes, 2 = No), through to 6 response options, depending on the domain. All domain scores are transformed to range from 0–100, with a higher score indicative of a better outcome. Cronbach alpha coefficients above 0.80 are reported, with other psychometric attributes reported as adequate to good.