A reliability and utility study of the Care Dependency Scale

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and utility of the Care Dependency Scale (CDS). This 15-item scale has been developed recentl y for assessing the care dependency of demented or menially handicapped inp atients. Data for this study were collected from 153 demented and 139 menta lly handicapped inpatients. The sample was measured three times. Internal c onsistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha and ranged from 0.95 to 0. 97. Interrater reliability revealed moderate to substantial weighted Kappa statistics between 0.51 and 0.83. Test-retest reliability analysis resulted in substantial weighted Kappas between 0.66 and 0.89. Utility tests also r evealed satisfactory results. The findings support the reliability and util ity of the CDS.