Development and psychometric evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease empowerment scale (COPD-ES)

Abstract

Background and Purpose Patient empowerment is essential for effective self-management and person-centered care in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, disease-specific instruments for assessing empowerment remain limited. This study aimed to develop the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Empowerment Scale (COPD-ES) and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 275 individuals with COPD. Content validity was assessed using expert evaluation. Construct validity was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated to determine the reliability of the scale. Results The final scale consisted of 24 items across five factors (awareness, knowledge, partnership, choice, and self-efficacy), explaining 61.78% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 1.81, RMSEA = 0.055, CFI = 0.93, NFI = 0.92, SRMR = 0.06). The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.90, and subscale alpha values ranged from 0.69 to 0.93. Test–retest reliability was strong (ICC = 0.85). Conclusions The COPD-ES is a valid and reliable disease-specific instrument for assessing empowerment in individuals with COPD. It may support nurses in identifying domain-specific empowerment needs and guiding tailored, person-centered interventions.