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Development, reliability, and validity of the expectations regarding aging (ERA-38) survey
Catherine A Sarkisian1, Ron D Hays, Sandra Berry
1Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. csarkisian@mednet.ucla.edu
The Gerontologist
|July 30, 2002
Summary
A new 38-item survey, the ERA-38, reliably measures older adults' expectations regarding aging. This validated instrument is useful for researchers studying aging perceptions in older populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychometrics
- Sociology of Aging
Background:
- Understanding older adults' expectations regarding aging is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems.
- Previous instruments may not adequately capture the multifaceted nature of aging expectations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable and comprehensive instrument to measure older adults' expectations regarding aging.
Main Methods:
- A 38-item survey (ERA-38) was developed using focus groups and cognitive interviews.
- Multitrait scaling analysis was employed to assess scale properties.
- The survey was administered to 588 English-speaking adults aged 65+.
Main Results:
- The ERA-38 demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (alpha >= .73) and item discrimination (>= .80) for most scales.
- Construct validity was supported by correlations with age, functional status, and mental health measures.
- 68% of respondents found the ERA-38 relevant to their personal experiences.
Conclusions:
- The ERA-38 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring expectations regarding aging in older adults.
- This tool can be valuable for researchers investigating aging perceptions and related outcomes.