Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of Child Asthma Self-Efficacy Scale

Background: This study aimed at assessing psychometric properties of the Iranian version of child asthma self-efficacy scale. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-survey research. The community sample included healthy and asthmatic children and adolescents, aged 8 to 18 years old from the city of Ahvaz. The sample consisted of 261 children, 61 patients referred to clinics of asthma and allergies and 200 healthy children that were selected by the random cluster sampling method. Child Asthma Self-Efficacy scale and child general self-efficacy questionnaire were used. Chronbach’s alpha coefficient, Pearson correlation, two sample t test, and confirmatory factor statistical analyses were applied. Results: Internal consistency for total scale score (α = 0.82), attack prevention subscale score (α = 0.704), and attack management subscale score (α = 0.70) were acceptable for this scale. Validity was demonstrated using correlation of total score and two subscales with child general self-efficacy and its academic and social subscale, indicating that all correlations were acceptable at 0.05 level. Two sample t test was used between patient sample and healthy sample that showed a significant difference between 2 subject groups. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, it seems that it is better to use total score of this questionnaire in the Iranian sample. Conclusions: The results demonstrated allowable reliability and validity of the child asthma self-efficacy scale. The child asthma self-efficacy scale could be applicable in clinical trials, research, and clinical practice for more improvement and committed behavior regarding treatment regimes in children with asthma.