Abstract
Introduction
Positive aspects of care refer to the psychosocial benefits of caregiving. The Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale is one of the instruments most frequently used internationally, but its psychometric properties and correlates within the caregiving experience have received limited attention.
Aim
To examine the factorial structure of the Portuguese version of PAC scale, and to analyze background and contextual factors that are more likely to be associated with higher levels of PAC.
Method
The PAC scale, a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures assessing burden and physical and mental health were administered to 204 informal caregivers of dementia patients.
Results
Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a two‐factor structure; internal consistency was adequate. Higher scores were negatively correlated with caregiver burden and distress. Better health perception, care recipient’s older age, providing care to more than one care recipient, and overall self‐reliance were correlated with higher levels of PAC.
Discussion
The PAC scale was found to be a reliable and valid measure. Dementia caregiving circumstances and caregivers’ and care‐receivers characteristics play an important role for the presence of PAC, but relate distinctively with its dimensions.
Implications for Practice
Findings can help mental health nurses to recognize distinctive relations between PAC and caregiving variables.