Validity and Reliability Study of the Turkish Version of Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to establish the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale Turkish Version (MSSM-T). METHODS This methodological study consisted of 240 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who were followed in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital between October 2016 and April 2017. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics form and the 24-item MSSM-T. Language equivalence, content validity, and construct validity methods were used for the validity of the scale; internal consistency, item analysis, and test-retest methods were used for the reliability. Explanatory factor analysis was used for construct validity, and principal component analysis and varimax rotation were used in the analysis of factor structure. RESULTS The item-total correlations for the Turkish version were found to be sufficient (between 0.238 and 0.674). The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was 0.85, indicating high reliability. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.84, indicating high consistency. The Turkish version was found to have 5 factors for the 24 items (F1, healthcare provider relationship/communication; F2, knowledge and information about MS; F3, treatment adherence/barriers; F4, maintaining health behavior; and F5, social/family support), which accounted for the 62.584% of the characteristics in question. CONCLUSION The MSSM-T is valid and reliable in determining the self-management behaviors of patients with MS for Turkish patients.