Psychometric Evaluation of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 in Caregivers of Patients With Coronary Heart Disease. in The Journal of cardiovascular nursing / J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2026 Mar 19. doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001330.

2026
AOU Alessandria

Tipo pubblicazione

Journal Article

Autori/Collaboratori (9)Vedi tutti...

Di Matteo R
Roberta Di Matteo, PhD, RN, Research nurse, Research Training Innovation Infrastructure-Department of Research and Innovation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy.
Iovino P
Paolo Iovino, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor in Nursing, Health Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Dal Molin A
Alberto Dal Molin, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy; Health Professions' Direction, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy.

et alii...

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Caregivers of patients hospitalized for coronary heart disease (CHD) are at risk of psychological distress, yet validated instruments for assessing anxiety and depression in this population during the acute phase are lacking. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in caregivers of hospitalized CHD patients. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from 136 informal caregivers enrolled in the Self-Care in Coronary Heart Disease Patient and Caregiver Dyads study. Participants completed the GAD-7, PHQ-9, along with other self-report measures, during patient hospitalization. Item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency (McDonald's ? and Cronbach's ?), convergent validity, and known-groups validity were examined. RESULTS: Mean scores indicated mild anxiety (GAD-7: 6.71, standard deviation [SD] = 6.58) and mild depressive symptoms (PHQ-9: 5.20, SD = 5.68). CFA supported a 2-factor structure (cognitive and somatic symptoms) for both scales, with good model fit and high factor loadings (>0.60). Internal consistency was satisfactory (GAD-7: ? = 0.93, ? = 0.92; PHQ-9: ? = 0.89, ? = 0.89). Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation between GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores (r = 0.72, large effect) and by associations between higher anxiety/depression and lower self-care self-efficacy scores. Known-groups validity was confirmed, with small-to-moderate correlations between female gender and both anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 demonstrated robust psychometric properties in caregivers of hospitalized CHD patients. Both instruments appear suitable for identifying caregivers at risk of anxiety and depression during the acute phase, supporting timely interventions in clinical practice.

Accesso banca dati bibliografica

PMID : 41854435

DOI : 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001330

Keywords

Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; Patient Health Questionnaire-9; caregivers; coronary disease; depressive disorder; generalized anxiety disorder; psychometrics;