Translation and Validation of the Japanese Version of the EDB Scale

Background: Although less research into disruptive behaviors including aggressive behavior (AB) by an older adult with dementia has been carried out in Japan than in Western countries, some Japanese researchers have reported relationships between AB and negative impacts on formal caregivers, such as stress. However, none of the Japanese studies were conducted using a valid measurement that identified a relationship between dementia-related aggression and caregiver’s stress. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to translate the Exposure to Disruptive Behavior (EDB) scale into Japanese and establish preliminary evidence for reliability and validity. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from formal caregivers (n = 137) who were working in the skilled care units for residents with dementia in ten nursing homes in the northern and western areas of Japan. The present study conducted the instrument translation in six stages. The EDB scale was translated into Japanese, using the guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. The validity of the EDBJ scale was tested with the Stressor Assessment Scale (SAS) for direct CWs in nursing homes. Findings: Alpha reliabilities obtained with this sample were α = .92 for the frequency of AB using the EDB Japanese version (EDBJ), α = .94 for the EDBJ-Stress, and α = .94 for the entirety of the EDBJ. The expected pattern and the significant correlation between the EDBJ scale and the Stressor Assessment Scale contribute to the evidence of construct validity. Implications: The EDB scale was translated from English into Japanese and established strong internal consistency reliability with Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and preliminary evidence for construct validity. The Japanese version of the EDB scale provides opportunity for future research comparing the frequency of residents’ aggressive behaviors and formal caregivers’ stress related to aggressive behaviors in Japanese nursing homes.