Multidimensional assessment of the elderly via a microcomputer: the SENOTS program and battery

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychometrics
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Assessing the well-being of cognitively able elderly adults is crucial.
• Traditional interviewer administration may have limitations.
• Microcomputer-based assessments offer a potential alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the psychometric adequacy of the SENOTS self-report battery.
• To evaluate microcomputer versus interviewer administration for elderly adults.
• To assess scales of Happiness/Depression, Financial Hardship, Physical Symptoms, Activity Limitation, and Activity Propensity.

Main Methods:

• The SENOTS battery was administered to 160 elderly adults (80 community, 80 institution residents).
• Participants were randomly assigned to either microcomputer or interviewer administration.
• The microcomputer program included phases for respondent screening, training, administration, and data processing.

Main Results:

• The SENOTS battery showed comparable psychometric adequacy across both administration conditions.
• Internal consistency for all scales was at acceptable levels.
• The scales effectively differentiated between community and institution residents.

Conclusions:

• Microcomputer administration is a psychometrically sound alternative to interviewer administration for the SENOTS battery in elderly adults.
• The SENOTS battery is a reliable tool for assessing various aspects of well-being in older populations.
• This technology facilitates efficient and valid data collection in gerontological research.