Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Thai version of the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease Social Support Inventory in individuals with chronic illnesses

Objectives: This study aimed to translate and psychometrically test the 7-item Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) Social Support Inventory (ESSI) scale within the Thai population. Methods: A scale translation and cross-sectional validation study was conducted. The English version was translated for Thai involved nine steps: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing and finalization, and proofreading. Psychometrics testing used data from a cross-sectional study from July to November 2022 at 16 primary care centers in southern Thailand, involving 405 participants. Structural validity was tested with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA). Hypothesis testing validity was assessed through correlations with the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale version 3.0 (SCSES-v3.0) and the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4.c (SC-CII-v4.c). Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: The Thai ESSI demonstrated excellent content validity. EFA revealed a one-factor structure, with high factor loadings for the first six items assessing informational, emotional, and instrumental support. The last item on structural support demonstrated inadequate factor loadings, suggesting its removal. CFA confirmed a well-fit one-factor structure for the 6-item ESSI. Hypothesis testing showed positive correlations with the SCSES-v3.0 and SC-CII-v4.c scales. Cronbach's α coefficient improved from 0.88 for the 7-item to 0.91 for the 6-item ESSI. Both the 7-item and the 6-item scales exhibited excellent test-retest reliability. Conclusions: Our study affirms the strong validity and reliability of the ESSI in the Thai population with chronic illnesses. The ESSI is deemed appropriate for evaluating social support in the context of chronic illness self-care.