Construct Validation of the Mealtime Relational Care Checklist for Individual Resident Use in Long-Term Care

Abstract

Background and PurposeTo determine the construct validity of the Mealtime Relational Care Checklist (M-RCC) when used with individual residents.MethodsData was collected from 639 residents from 32 long-term care homes; M-RCC was completed at three meals for each resident and averaged. Bivariate analyses determined associations between the M-RCC and other resident level and dining room level measures.ResultsResident M-RCC was positively and significantly (p < .05) associated with three of five summary scales from Dining Environment Audit Protocol and Meal Time Scan as well as resident malnutrition risk (rs = 0.23). M-RCC was negatively associated with protein intake (gram per kilogram body weight; rs = -0.13) and Cognitive Performance Score (t-value = 4.48).ConclusionsThe resident level M-RCC was significantly associated with other measures in expected directions demonstrating construct validity.