Objective:

To prepare and validate a scale for assessing care needs in dependent people, based on all fourteen needs included in Virginia Henderson's theory and Maslow's Theory of Human Needs.

Materials and methods:

An observational study was conducted to validate a scale with a sample of 776 care-dependent individuals. Nursing professionals were in charge of writing the items. Correlations between items and factor structure were evaluated using a structural equation model. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega.

Results:

The correlations between all fourteen needs were satisfactory. The structure with three dimensions (physiological needs, need for safety and belonging, and need for independence) was satisfactory: CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.94, SRMR = 0.04, and RMSEA = 0.06 (95 % CI: 0.05-0.07). The scale's reliability was satisfactory, with Cronbach's alpha = 0.870 and McDonald's omega = 0.871.

Conclusions:

This scale allows obtaining a classification score to determine the nursing assistance needs of dependent people. It contributes to the standardization and use of the theories about care and human needs.

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