Validation of the caregiver skills (CASK) scale in a Dutch sample of carers for adolescents with eating disorders

The Dutch version of the CASK did not replicate the original six-factor structure at the full-scale level. Nonetheless, the six subscales demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and appear particularly suitable for use at the group level, making the instrument relevant for research and care improvement policies. Further studies are needed to determine whether the CASK can also provide added value at the individual level, for example to guide individualized treatment content, and to evaluate its applicability in more diagnostically and culturally diverse samples. While male and female carers reported comparable overall skills, differences in specific subscale scores highlight the importance of considering gender in the context of skill development and support for carers of individuals with EDs.