Validation of Responses Reported by School-Aged Siblings of Hospitalized Children

This study examined measurement of the effects of a pediatric hospitalization on siblings using a Percieved Change Scale Data on perceived changes in feelings and behaviors were obtained from 30 siblings 5 to 10 years of age in a structured interview and from 41 siblings 11 to 17 years of age with a questionnaire Responses to the questionnaire used to assess perceived changes in older siblings formed a single dimension with adequate reliability, criterion validity, and concurrent validity Responses to the structured interview used for younger siblings formed three dimensions, with a lower alpha coefficient Suggestions for use of these scales are made.