Investigation of the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the jugendwerk dysphagia emotion and family assessment scale

With the increasing understanding of the importance of the emotional dimension and family dynamics in dysphagia intervention, there has been a need for an instrument that allows the assessment of these dynamics. Jugendwerk Dysphagia Emotion and Family Assessment (JDFEA) has been reported as the first tool to comprehensively address emotional impact and family system impact. The aim of this study was to create the Turkish version of the JDFEA scale, which is originally in German and has undergone validity and reliability studies, and to investigate the validity and reliability of this version. A total of 119 individuals, including those with dysphagia and caregivers of individuals with dysphagia, were included in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis was performed in the study. The qualitative data analysis was conducted using the Maxqda program with a single-researcher phenomenological approach. Along with the initial evaluation, participants filled out the JDFEA-Turkish Version (JDFEA-TR) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale, caregivers completed the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10), and individuals with dysphagia completed the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) and the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Two weeks after the initial interview, the JDFEA-TR scale was reapplied to 40 participants. To determine the validity and reliability of the scale, construct and criterion validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were examined. The qualitative data analysis revealed 7 themes and 26 categories. In the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the JDFEA-TR scale, a 7-dimensional factor structure was found. The Cronbach's Alpha value ranged from 0.748 to 0.956; item-total test correlation values obtained were between 0.291 and 0.709. There was a statistically significant agreement within the class in terms of general scores of JDFEA (p<0.05). This agreement is positive and high (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.994). A moderate relationship was found between the JDFEA-TR scale and the HAD, DHI, and EAT-10 scales. It was found that anxiety and depression scores of individuals with dysphagia were higher than those of caregivers. It is suggested that the JDFEA-TR scale be added to the clinical assessment battery for a better understanding of the emotional and family system effects of dysphagia in individuals with dysphagia and caregivers. Keywords: Dysphagia, Emotion, Self-Assessment, Validity and Reliability