Psychometric properties of the Swedish diabetes empowerment scale

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Swe-DES-23). Research design and methods: A convenience sample of 195 patients with type I and type 2 diabetes completed the Swe-DES-23 questionnaire. To establish discriminant validity, Swe-DES subscales were compared with the Semantic Differential in Diabetes scale (SDD) and a general health scale (EVGFP). Construct validity was tested using factor analyses. To determine unidimensionality of the subscales, interitem correlations were calculated. Internal consistency was tested by the use of the Crohnbach-alpha coefficient. Results: The factor analysis resulted in four factors (empowerment subscales) with eigenvalues > 1.0, explaining 60% of the variance. The four empowerment subscales: goal achievement, self-awareness, stress management and readiness to change showed Crohnbach-alpha values ranging from 0.68 to 0.91. Patients with good self-reported health and low burden of diabetes scored significantly higher on almost all empowerment subscales. Only weak correlations were found between metabolic control and the empowerment subscales. Conclusions: The SWE-DES-23 scale had acceptable validity and reliability and, thus, could be a suitable tool in evaluating empowerment-based education programmes. Further testing is needed to shorten the questionnaire.