Turkish validity and reliability study of the parental cognitive perception inventory on the effects of disasters on children's well-being (PCP-DCWB).

Abstract

Background: Natural disasters have a devastating impact on children. Parents' perception and awareness of the symptoms of mental disorders in children following a disaster event is an important element for early diagnosis and treatment. The study focused on developing the Turkish version of the Parents' Cognitive Perception Inventory on the Effects of Disasters on Children's Well-Being (PCP-DCWB-TR), ensuring cultural and linguistic adaptation and maintaining its reliability and validity.

Method: A methodological approach was adopted, and 213 parents were included in the study. Data collection was conducted online between March and June 2023 using the Socio-Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire and the PCP-DCWB-TR. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, and item-total score analysis.

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted and revealed 16 items in two subscales, explaining 55.43 % of the total variance. The scale showed high reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, while confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the model with a mean error of approximation of 0.080. Test-retest results showed a strong correlation (Pearson correlation 0.78, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The adapted PCP-DCWB-TR is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing parents' cognitive perceptions of the impact of disasters on children's well-being in the context of Turkish society.

Practice implications: All healthcare professionals can use this scale in interventional studies aiming at assessing parents' cognitive perceptions of the impact of disasters on children's well-being.