Evaluating the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the parents perceptions of uncertainty scale (A-PPUS)

Background: Uncertainty often accompanies illness and may be a major aversive component of the patients' treatment process. There is evidence that parental uncertainty has a negative impact on their own and on their child's coping strategies and may affect family functioning. Key to the provision of competent care, to address uncertainty, is the use of an appropriate validated assessment tool to understand key parental concerns. The ‘Parent Perception of Uncertainty Scale’ (PPUS) has been widely used for this purpose. Aim: This study reports on the validity and reliability testing of the Arabic version of the Parents Perception of Uncertainty Scale (A-PPUS). Methods: The scale was translated to Arabic using the translation-back-translation method. Appropriate statistical tests were performed including measurements of internal consistency, item to total scale correlation, and univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The study included 240 parents of children with chronic illnesses. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the whole scale was 0.93. All the items were positively correlated to the total score. The univariate and multivariate analysis supported the previous tests and the assertion that the Arabic version of the PPUS provided a relevant measure of the uncertainty level. Conclusion: This study has identified that the A-PPUS is a reliable tool for parent report of their uncertainty, in the UAE and Arabic population.