Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Korean version of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire for families of children with chronic illness.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to culturally adapt the Korean version of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ-K) for families of children with chronic illness and evaluate its reliability and validity.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

This two-phase methodological study followed the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. Phase 1 involved translation and cultural adaptation according to World Health Organization guidelines. Phase 2 evaluated the psychometric properties of the WFRQ-K in 323 parents of children with childhood cancer, spina bifida, or Down syndrome. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and theta-dependent reliability. Structural validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was evaluated through correlations with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-Korean version, and discriminant validity using heterotrait-monotrait ratios across the three family resilience domains.

RESULTS

The WFRQ-K demonstrated strong internal consistency and acceptable test-retest reliability. Theta-dependent reliability remained high from low to moderately high levels of family resilience but declined at very high levels. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed three-factor structure with satisfactory model fit. Positive correlations with individual resilience supported convergent validity, while the three domains remained empirically distinct, supporting discriminant validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The WFRQ-K is a culturally appropriate, reliable, and valid measure of family resilience among Korean families of children with chronic illness. Additional item development may improve precision at very high resilience levels.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The WFRQ-K can help pediatric nurses identify family resilience strengths and needs and inform family-centered support.