Development of a Japanese version of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Questionnaire

This paper presents the findings of a study on the development of a Japanese version of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) questionnaire using the Rasch model. To estimate the item functions of 12 items in each of the 4 subscales, 340 responses to the initial survey and 280 responses to the retest survey conducted 7 weeks later were obtained from Japanese older adults. Item fit information, item-total correlations, and stability of item difficulties were used to select the appropriate items in each subscale. Test-retest and internal consistency reliability were found to be optimal in all of the refined subscales. These subscales were related to internal control, subjective well-being, and personality traits, but not to social desirability. Thus, the psychometric properties of this Japanese SOC questionnaire were verified. This study also indicated the possibility of using the Rasch model to refine the SOC questionnaire in other cultural settings.